EF Tours England/Scotland 2018
Welcome back! Only 120 days left! Travelers turn off cell phones If changes are needed, must be done with EF before 110 days out. Feb. 23 is 112 days! Be sure name on passport matches name EF has. ** After 110 days, penalty added if name change is needed.
Meetings All meetings will be at 6:00 PM in room 106 Parents and travelers: November 30, January 26, and May 4
Signed up 1 year ago What changes What changes before we go How changes will impact trip How trip impacts your future
General Information Curfew - 9 hours before wake up Roommates - you choose.please write down tonight and give to Dr. W No girls in boys rooms and no boys in girls rooms - use common areas Eating times vary depending on the activities
110 days out Feb 23, 2018 (112) Names with EF and passport must match exactly All accounts with manual payment are due in full....
Payments Auto payment - due 35 days before departure Manual payment - due 110 days before departure Airline tickets are not sent until all payments are paid in full
Everyone helps with jobs Bus sweepers - travelers that are last off the bus and make sure it is clean Loaders - students that assist the bus driver load and unload luggage At airport one group grabs luggage, one group carries it and the other group guards it
Keep the Peace Have to tells - There is some information that needs to be told to an adult for the safety and the good of the group Couples - bad idea, breakups affect everyone and can have very negative results
Laundry Probably have to be done in the sink Drip dry - take easy to dry clothing Detergent - Woolite, single packets of liquid -use shampoo Don t take powder detergent Most don t do any laundry!! Febreeze!!!
Journaling Travelers will remember the trip better if they take the time to journal a little each day Remember where you have taken pictures Remember the names of special events and sights Use postcards instead of pics: they have the information right on them
Safety Always be in a group of 3 or more Keep hotel room locked when in the room Always ask who is at the door when there is a knock Only open the door to people you know and have answered your question as to who is at the door Have the hotel and leader phone numbers with you at all times: we ll program the phones at a later meeting! Write down leaders room numbers Suitcases locked and all items in them
Credit Cards Get a card from credit union or bank ask for a PIN - in the UK, you may have to enter a PIN code (like we do here with a debit card) Parents can see purchases Parents can add money Set up student accounts Local Banks Credit Unions Try the card before we leave, be sure the traveler can use the card Not all places take credit cards and there may be a minimum purchase at stores Fees
Calling Cards/Cell phones Use What sapp - there s wi-fi so the phones can text over wifi Students don t have much down time to call and we don t know the availability of phones To use the cards you will need the providers country code to call out Cards are not one unit to a minute like being inside the US, each minute out of the states will use more units than those placed inside the US
Texting Cheaper than calling Facetime Wifi - not reliable Skype
Meal Expectations Food and portions size will most likely be different than US Full breakfast typically - local cuisine Table water is provided free of charge, bottled water or other beverages will need to be paid for at dinner Everyone is to attend all meals No electronics at meals Food allergy/special diet cards, let Dr. W. know in advance
Packing Pack light - one suitcase plus backpack. Try to pack with the backpack and a carry on. No lost luggage Carry money and credit cards on person all times Medications, dental appliances and 2 sets of clothing in backpack Chargers in backpack Journal in backpack Packing list will be on website
Practice Before We Go Using Credit Card Using Calling Card Using ATM Carrying luggage up and down stairs
FYI We have never had any of these problems, info EF wants this shared Shoplifting, possession of illegal drugs and all other illegal activities will not be tolerated and are punishable by immediate dismissal from the tour. All costs to return home are at the traveler s own expense Should authorities be involved, travelers will be subject to the laws of the country we are visiting
FYI continued Travelers are required to pay for any phone calls or incidental personal expenses incurred at hotels. Any damage done to hotel rooms or buses is the responsibility of the travelers. Could risk disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the tour
Visit Waiver If students wish to visit friends or relatives on our tour, EF has a special form that will need to be completed by parents authorizing the visit
Special Plans If you are planning to add on to the trip please let Dr. W. know If you have special airline needs, please let Dr. W. know.
Special needs At next meeting, I will hand out the health form where I ask for: Dietary concerns Allergies Other health problems I should know about
Money American money, bills and coins, are not accepted in in the UK (maybe a few places). Exchange at your local bank before the trip Figure $20 per day Tips will be collected separately Credit cards can usually only be used for larger purchases (maybe over $10) Most money should be in money belt, spending money for the day in easily reached places
Food Meals are preplanned If you don t like the food, move it around on the plate. Most food is served buffet style, only take what you will eat, you can usually go back for seconds.
Travel Sense Have important information with you (phone numbers -copy of passport) Travel attire - meets school dress code Comfortable shoes Stay in groups of 3 or more Keep your money on your person at all times or locked up Have nutritional snacks in backpack- pick up a silicone water bottle to fill up before we go out Skin should not touch airplane seat - capris, long shorts
Travel Sense Small containers of liquids only <3 oz in sealed gallon-size bag Have jacket and pants below knees for plane ride Stay with our group...have a travel buddy Listen quietly to instructions and guides, move in close Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm...
Travel Sense When walking in a group, do not take up the entire sidewalk When on an escalator, stay to the right so people can pass you on the left When we are traveling as a group, keep the line tight Have spending money easily available When taking photos, be in the front part of the group
General Safety Tips So I m going to sound like your parents here. Sorry, but I have to. No matter where you are home or abroad--being safe is a matter of common sense. Here are some tips to make sure you don't run into trouble: Don't wear expensive-looking clothes or jewelry. You re not Paris Hilton; the labels can stay at home. Don't walk around alone; stay with your group or several friends. But you knew that already...right? Stay off dark streets and alleys. Do I need to warn you about this? I really hope not. Be aware of your purse/wallet and keep your money in a safe place. We know it s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new city, but leaving your purse or backpack dangling off your arm is asking for trouble. Travel pouches that you wear under your clothes are a better choice.
Checked Luggage 55 inches - length, width, height. About a 26 inch pullman Wheeled ones are easier to move, but heavier Weight limit - usually around 40# be sure you can easily carry it around your house and up and down stairs Secure checked luggage with plastic cables or zip-ties Backpack Ef gives you one Carry your own Most Airlines charge https://www.cheapair.com/help/flights/how-can-i-compare-airline-chec ked-baggage-fees/
Backpack If luggage is lost, students have enough clothing to manage the trip Have enough snacks in case we get delayed at the airport or on the tarmac Once we arrive, we can put the backpack clothing in your suitcases and use backpack as day pack Carry own or EF backpack If you can t wear something at least twice, leave it at home. Can t be replaced; leave at home
EF s Rules of the Road In the spirit of successful travel, here s a list of regulations you MUST stick to on tour: All scheduled activities are obligatory. If you re sick or have a physical ailment, you must tell your group leader, who should notify the EF Tour Director. If you want to visit friends or relatives in a destination country, your group leader must be told BEFORE the tour begins. Upon request, EF will provide a form to be completed by your parents, giving authorization for the visits. Give the form to the EF Tour Director upon arrival
Visitors or group members of the opposite sex are not permitted in your room. Your group leader and EF Tour Director may establish a curfew (usually 11:30 pm). You re expected to respect the nightly curfew for your own safety and security. Room checks will be conducted each night. Smoking is not allowed on buses, during meals, in hotel rooms or in any other shared, enclosed space. Hitchhiking and the driving or renting of any motor vehicle is strictly forbidden for all travelers. You re required to pay for any phone calls or incidental personal expenses incurred at hotels. These will be payable the evening before departure at each hotel.
Tipping Money Tour director - $7/day x 9 days = $63 Bus Drivers - $3/day x 9 days = $27 Local guide - $1/day x 9 days = $9 Incidentals - $5 - $10 total = $5 Total - per traveler $104-114 Any excess funds will be divided equally among the travelers upon our return home. Parent forms are available on my website and will be collected at May 4 meeting. Tip money will be collected at May meeting: Please bring cash!
Checklist and Parental approval I have a copy of my child s passport and credit card numbers at home I have recorded luggage contents and placed one in luggage and left one at home I have labeled suitcase, backpack and camera (camera itself and case) (you will also be given ribbons at the May meeting to attach to your suitcase and backpack along with EF luggage tags) Medications in backpack Prescriptions have been attached to my health form or given to Dr. W.
Checklist and Parental approval I have 2 days of clothing, sunscreen, toiletries, 1 group activity (downtime activity) in backpack I have nutritional snacks in backpack and luggage I have paid tip money I have given leaders necessary contact phone numbers I have money safely out of view in a neck or waist money bag on my person
Final Meeting May 4, 6pm Airport information/procedures Collect tip money - cash please $104-114 Collect passports - will give to travelers at the airport Collect paperwork, insurance cards Rules of the Road signature Checklist and Parental Approval signature Final packing information Pass out backpacks