Spring Break 2016

PARIS & THE RIVIERA

TONIGHT’S AGENDA 10/22/2015 Who’s travelling

Overview of the trip

Passports

Fundraising

Tipping

Spending Money + Best Forms of Currency

Versailles

Phones

Rooming

Packing

Future meeting agenda items

Questions

GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER Since we will spend 9 of the most magical days of your life together, let’s meet now.

Other social gatherings?

OUR TRIP:

Pace will be quick – expect to walk approx. 10 miles a day!

Please get in shape before we get there.

Basic Itinerary: ½ Paris - ½ The French Riviera

Our tour website has more details.

I will begin sending emails with on-line scavenger hunts to help you get to know where we will be going and what you can expect to see.

PASSPORTS

I will need a color copy as soon as you can (just the picture and signature page)

If your passport is not valid through October 2016 – you will not be allowed to board the plane.

All students must be legal citizens – if not, please see me, there is important documentation you will need to reenter the U.S.

Electronic access to your birth certificate (scan it into your home computer) in case of a lost passport – this would save hours.

FUNDRAISING * We will not fundraise as a group – too difficult to manage fairly

* Personal fundraising is allowed. Here are some ideas:

* Replace Christmas/birthday gifts with “the gift of spending money” or “tour tip money”

* Write a sponsorship letter. Student writes a letter explaining how much this trip means, what they hope to get out of the trip and asks for a donation. Letter can be sent to relatives, given out at church, etc.

* Holiday season helpers – wrap presents, unpack/pack lights, decorations, etc.

TIPPING Each traveler is required to tip the people that ‘guide’ us each day. This is the formula we are expected to use:

$6 /day, pp for Tour director

$3 /day for bus driver

$2 / day for local guides

Our total pp is a minimum $75 (+$10 if going to Versailles)

– I will collect this in late March before we leave.

Please budget for this.

SPENDING MONEY

We need to budget for paying for our own lunch every day. I would expect to pay from $10 -$20 on lunch. So lunch = $80-$160.

We also pay for our own snacks, drinks (besides water at dinner), and of course any souvenirs/shopping.

$150 = bare minimum $300 =

BEST FORM OF CURRENCY Best plan = atm debit card – double check with your bank that your card will work and ask to put a note on your bank file that it will be used in France during that week.

Cash works (20s,50s,100s)- we will exchange it when we can

Please no “Visa gift cards” - they never work in Europe

Also no “Discover or American Express” and no Travelers’ Checks

Visa or Mastercard work fine– preferably with a chip

VERSAILLES – AN OPTIONAL ADD-ON

Extra cost:

$99

If 15 people from our tour (us + 1 other school) enroll then it will happen.

Those choosing not to go, will continue to tour Paris with me.

PHONES + CONTACTING HOME Speak with your carrier – my phone (Alltel) can’t make calls/send texts

Most will continue to have Wifi – most hotels will have Wifi

Some allow international plans- check data usage charges + other fees

Please do not demand/expect a call/text everyday.

We will have an emergency call chain in place

PACKING

Wants v. Needs

We will discuss more later – our Tour Website has good lists

Need: 2 pairs of comfortable shoes – no heels

Small suitcase v carry on

Adapter(s) – usually available at TJMAX, Target, Walmart

FUTURE MEETING AGENDA ITEMS

- Packing lists/ suggestions

- Emergency forms

- Proof of insurance coverage

- Rooming- 2, 3, 4 to a room

- No Alcohol contract

QUESTIONS???

OUR TRIP!

https://personal.eftours.com/secure/active-tours/tour-details/itinerary.aspx

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oc1z63wvz3yl8br/paris-ef-tours-hd-video.mp4