Some Tour Expectations For Your Group

 

Meals

  • Portions are smaller than those in the U.S.
  • Meals are geared towards American students
  • Continental Breakfast : roll or toast with jelly, cereal(s), juice and coffee
  • Dinner is around 5-7pm and breakfast around 6-8am
  • Soda, tea, coffee, and other similar beverages are not included with dinner, and will cost extra
  • Think about bringing snacks to save some money on food during the day

 

Bus Transfers

  • Not all buses will have a bathroom on board; not all buses that have a bathroom will allow access to the bathroom.  Please let your students know that even if there is a bathroom on the bus it does not necessarily mean it is in service.

 

  • Most buses stop approximately every 2 hours for bathroom breaks, snacks, and beverages.
  • If anyone has motion sickness, suggest packing Dramamine or Motrin

 

Late Check In

  • Could have to drop off luggage at hotel
  • General check in is between 3 and 4pm
  • Participants may not have an opportunity to shower until after dinner

 

Packing

  • Pack light, everyone will be responsible for handling their own bags!
  • Bring comfortable shoes – you will be walking a lot. The pace of the tour is fast, so you’ll want to be comfortable!

 

  • Pack a small day bag with the necessities in case bag gets lost en route.  EF will provide everyone in the group a backpack, which can also serve as the carryon.

 

  • Bring water bottles and keep them filled.  You’ll be traveling a lot and you will get thirsty! 
  • Voltage out of the USA is different. If anyone is bringing any electrical appliances, remind them that they will need both an adaptor and a converter in order for the appliance to work overseas.

 

Hotels

  • Many hotels do not have AC or elevators
  • Adult rooming cannot be changed while on tour. Students will be roomed in triples or quads, and rooming arrangements can change from hotel to hotel. Teachers should prepare a list of students who have an idea who they prefer to room with once on tour.

 

  • European hotels are generally smaller than American style hotels, especially when centrally located.  European hotels typically use twin beds, but doubles can be used in some locations.  Hotels in Central and South America generally use double beds instead of twin beds.  Please prepare your group accordingly, as students may need to share double beds. 

 

  • International showers might not come with a shower curtain.  This does not mean you will not have privacy, but it might seem different to shower with just a showerhead. 

 

 

Finances and Documents

  • ATM’s are very prevalent in Europe, an ATM card with a Mastercard or Visa logo gives the best exchange rates without charging commission (unlike exchanging money or using Travelers Checks).

 

  • Before leaving, see what international relationship your local bank has with international ATMs.  Finding out bank partnerships will help keep those withdrawal fees to a minimum.

 

    • TEST CARDS BEFORE DEPARTURE to ensure that people have accurate and functional PIN numbers.  People should not create a PIN that exceeds six characters/numbers!

 

  • Travelers checks for emergency reserves (e.g., if an ATM “eats” the card) and to tip the Tour Director.

 

  • Encourage travelers to set aside tip money before departure from the States. 
  • Spending money: bring money for extra activities that the Tour Director might arrange based on group interest (For example, a tour of Paris by night).

 

  • Discourage shoppers from buying too much too soon.  They’ll risk  running low on funds. Before you leave the European Union or any other foreign land, ask your Tour Director about V.A.T. –“value-added tax” -- refunds at the airport.

 

  • Make sure students keep documents in one safe place, or on them.
  • Bring a copy of your passport and keep in a separate, safe place.

 

 

Day 2 of Tour

  • Group will be tired, but they should stick it out and go on the walking tour.  Jet Lag is a normal phenomenon and you will feel it.  Do your best to keep energy levels up!

 

  • Due to the time difference, everyone will be tired but they should try to stay awake until a normal bedtime.

 

  • You may want to change some money in advance, perhaps if there is time upon arrival in the airport (ATM is best).

 

  • Remember this is group travel.  Please make sure your group remains courteous, respectful, and mindful of others.

 

  • Remember these are students.  They vary according to age, confidence, independence, energy, and any number of behavioral qualities.  There will be homesickness, there will be cultural shock, there will be excitement, and awe.  Be ready!

 

 

Tour Director Responsibilities

  • Responsibilities for the Tour Director require them to be away from the group at times (For example, confirming reservations or picking up tickets)

 

  • The Tour Director manages how to get from point A to point B. He/She assists in hotel check-in and scheduling.  The Tour Director provides a detailed timeline for your day including: breakfast, dinner, sightseeing, and departure times. 

 

  • Tour Directors are not disciplinarians.
  • Plan a curfew; always have a chaperone with students.
  • Explain policies on drinking—culture/laws abroad differ from that in the U.S. (Consider using the alcohol release/agreement form)

 

  • The Group Leader is responsible for making sure the group is prompt & on time for all activities.

 

 

Tipping

  • I collect tip money before the tour!
  • We recommend $6 for the Tour Director per day (or 4 Euros), and $3 for the bus driver(s). For local area guides, tipping upon discretion, and we recommend about $1-$2 each per guide.

 

  • If you have different bus drivers please split the tip you have saved and give it to the bus driver before he departs your tour!

 

  • Optionals or City Guides: At your discretion local guides can be tipped a few dollars for the entire group.

 

  • For tours embarking on a cruise, be prepared to tip $10 per student/per day.  Remember lunch is provided for and students will be served with cabin service, waiter service, etc.

 

Weather

  • EF is not responsible for weather delays and airlines cannot risk flying in bad weather, so there may be unexpected delays

 

  • Airlines are responsible for re-ticketing the group to another flight—Group Leader should keep EF updated about any changes by calling the emergency line when the EF office is closed

 

  • There may be additional costs for meals and hotels during a delay
  • Missed days/activities will not be refunded due to weather delays.

 

 

Emergencies

  • Call 617-619-2913 or 617-619-1000 collect at any time in the event of an emergency

 

 

Airport information

  • Remember to call your airline(s) and reconfirm flight times 1-2 days prior to departure.
  • Arrive at airport approximately 3 hours prior to departure.
  • EF cannot assign seats; this should be done upon check-in at the airline or 24 hrs before departure if you would like to call the airline to make prior arrangements.

 

  • Participants must request special meals with the airline(s) on an individual basis; they should confirm them again at the airport.

 

  • The Tour Director will meet you outside immigrations upon arrival. Have the group go through customs, and through the sliding doors, to meet the Tour Director with the EF shirt and/or sign.

 

 

Adults on Tour

·         If you have adults traveling with you, or other chaperones, it is important to remind them what it is like to be an adult traveling on a student tour. 

 

·         EF tours are designed for student travel – the accommodations and meals are standard unless otherwise noted on your itinerary. 

 

·         The pace is fast at times, with transfers in and out of hotels and into/onto buses.

·         EF tours are designed so that students see and experience as much as possible during their tour without overwhelming them (remember they have a lot of energy)! 

 

 

What you need to know about arrival: Passport Control and Customs…

           

  • Make sure everyone has the proper visas before departure.  Visas are required by some countries or if the traveler(s) are not American citizens.  As a reference, http://travel.state.gov can assist you with finding the necessary information. 

 

  • Do not let your group separate as they go through passport control or customs; tell group members to wait just beyond each of the checkpoints.

 

  • Proceed in this order when arriving at your first “port of entry” or when returning to the U.S.: Passport Control first, then Baggage Claim, then Customs. 

 

  • You and your group members should not have anything to “declare” on your way into foreign lands, so opt for the line that says “Nothing to Declare.”  Once you’re through, start looking for an EF representative, who will be carrying a sign or wearing EF apparel.

 

  • On the way home, U.S. citizens must “declare” the worth of their goods purchased.  Each traveler will need to fill out a customs form; flight attendants distribute.

 

 

Of course, remember to have FUN! 

I look forward to hearing from you upon return!