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2. Paris Orientation
November 26 – December 1, 2013
On-tour information
Elaine R. Bolyard (ebolyard@verizon.net)
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3. Split Flight
 What
is this?
Your group can be split and placed on different
flights.
 Departure times may vary.
 Airlines may be different.
 Tour directors handle this well.

 Things
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to consider
Reaction of parents and travelers
Get assistance from your tour consultant if there
are concerned parents.

4. Consolidation

What is it?
Small groups are placed together to fill the bus.
 Groups can come from different areas in U.S.
 Groups normally meet on Day 2 – Arrival Day.


Try to contact the other group leader(s)prior
to departure.

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Be considerate and flexible.

5. Day of departure

Transportation to airport

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
Set time for meeting at the airport.


2 ½ - 3 hours prior to departure
Where to meet
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Carpooling
Caravan
Limo or van
Near the ticket counter

6. Passports and Tickets

Keeping passport and valuables safe!
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
Boarding passes

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Neck pouch placed under clothing
Make copies of passports prior to departure.
Make sure that your passports are valid for 6 months
or more upon returning to US.
Keep copies in a folder.
Check-in as a group.
E-tickets
Guardian of the boarding passes

7. Check-in counter
 What
will you need?
valid and signed passport
 another form of identification with a photo I.D.
 luggage – one carry-on and one to be checked in
 check required size and weight PRIOR to arriving
 Did you pack your own bags?
 list of contents (2 copies & a
photo of luggage)
 luggage tags

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8. Seating arrangements

Check-in as a group


Traveling friends and family can approach
ticket counter together.
Politely ask if there is a way you can be seated
together.

When on the plane

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Go to your assigned seat first.
Check with fellow travelers in your group to
change.

9. Ready, Set, Go!
Saying goodbye to family and friends

 Security check


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Have boarding pass and passport in hand.
Place items in plastic bin.
Remove belts, shoes, jewelry, glasses, wallets.
Liquids – place in a quart bag- 3oz. maximum each
Retrieve belongings from conveyor belt.
Everyone is to wait in a designated spot after
going through security.

10. Flight to destination
 Drink


plenty of fluids
Water and juices
Avoid caffeinated beverages
 Electronics


Sleep

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Can be used only during designated times
Encourage your travelers to sleep.
Keep aisle open for flight attendants
Z-Z-Z

11. Day 2 – Arrival Day!
Baggage Claim



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Go as a group
Retrieve luggage
Use restroom before leaving area
Watch your belongings!
Lost or damaged luggage – have photos and copy of
luggage contents
Passport control

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Be polite!
Have passport and boarding pass in hand.

12. Day 2 –Arrival Day
 Meeting
the tour director
After passing through passport control
and customs
 Look for person holding EF sign.
 Let tour director know of any issues with baggage
 Bus driver will be waiting
 Large baggage in storage area and carry-on cases
on the bus
 Help with luggage

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13. Day 2 – Arrival Day

At the hotel

Room assignments
•
make list before leaving home
Rooms may not be ready
 Holding room available
 Keys – leave them at desk when going out
 Get hotel’s business card with address.
 Photograph the exterior of the hotel.
 Elevators – smaller in most cases

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14. Day 2 – Arrival Day
 Walking
tour of the city
Time to freshen up vs. starting walking tour
 Depends upon schedule
 Dress accordingly and wear COMFORTABLE
shoes.
 Positive attitude is a MUST!
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15. Culture shock!
 Set
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Personal space
Security and safety
Dress code
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Have frequent meetings to discuss trip
Adult and student travelers are encouraged to
attend.
Public transportation


expectations prior to departure
Check with tour director the night before

16. During the tour
 Typical
day

Wake up call to each room

Knock on doors/call rooms
Down for breakfast – “head” check
Get items for traveling for the day or check out of
hotel
Morning tour or morning travel to next
destination
Lunch (on your own)
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17. During the tour
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18. What is included
 Two
meals a day
Continental breakfast
• Rolls, coffee, tea, tap water, juice
• Other items may also be included
 Dinner
• Soup/salad
• Pasta or meat
• Vegetables
• Dessert
• Tap water
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19. What is NOT included
 Beverages

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Sodas (rather expensive)
Wine and beer
Coffee and tea at dinner
 Spending
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(other than tap water)
money
Plan on at least $30-$50 per day
Souvenirs
Paying to use public restrooms

20. Tipping
 Collect
tip money several weeks prior to
departure.
Ask for tip to be paid in cash and give a receipt.
 Tip money may be divided among responsible
adults and given out as needed.
 Tip can be given to tour director at beginning,
throughout or at the end of the trip.
 Tour director: $6 per day per person
bus driver: $3 per day per person
local tour guide: $1-$2 per day per person
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21. Communication

Tour director

TD will e-mail you

Ask questions.
List concerns, if there are any.
Have an open line of communication while on
tour.
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prior to departure
Give TD a couple of days to get the “feel” of
your group.

22. Responsibilities and discipline

Keeping track of students

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Curfew

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Count, count, count!
Set reasonable time
Bed check
Check every night
 Knock on door. “Who is it?”
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23. Responsibilities and discipline

Infraction of rules
Decide in advance what the consequences will be.
 Talk to the guilty individual(s).
 Call parents to discuss the issue.
 Should student(s) be sent home?
 Tour director is just that, not the disciplinarian.

VS.
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24. Alcohol Policy

Permission form to all students under 21
Parent(s) and student must sign form.
 Make a list of those who may/may not taste wine
or beer with a meal or at a tasting.
 No hard liquor is to be consumed by students.
 Make them aware of the consequences, if policy
is not followed.

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25. Rooming arrangements
 Students

3 or 4 to a room
 Adults

1 or 2 to a room
 Visiting
each other’s room

No student of the opposite sex is allowed to visit hotel
room.

Meet in the lobby or perhaps a designated game room.
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26. Phone calls
 Call
cell phone carrier
Can you get an international plan?
 What is the cost?

 Will

a phone card work?
Depends upon the company
 Calls
from hotel
Are costly
 Bill MUST be paid prior to checking out
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27. Emergencies
 Illness
or accident
Encourage parents to get EF’s recommended insurance
prior to the trip!
 Notify tour director immediately.
 Tour director and group leader(s) assess gravity of
illness or injury
 Call doctor or take to the emergency room.
 Call parent(s).
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28. Surprises to students
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Many people overseas can speak English.
The elevators are likely to be smaller or
there may not be an elevator.
Toilets flush differently in almost every hotel.
Showers and drains work differently than what we
are used to.
Water pressure can be lower.
What is a BIDET?
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29. Surprises to students

Having to leave keys at the hotel desk before going
out.

Air-conditioning is less common abroad.

Pickpockets
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Having to pay for condiments in McDonald’s

No FREE refills.
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30. Educational content
 Tour
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director plays a major role
Hands-on activities about cathedral architecture
Quiz game toward the end of the tour – prize for
winner
There is a lesson about the area we are in.
Learn “pleasantries” of the country or countries
that you are visiting.

31. Rewards for teachers
Global rewards


Teacher conventions throughout the year
•
•

Travel
•
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Personally used points to travel to Mexico, Italy,
Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
Merchandise
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A great value for your rewards points!
Recruit during quadruple & triple point enrollment!
Check on-line for merchandise
rewards.

32. Follow up

Send a “thank-you” to participants


Post-trip get-together
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Enclose invitation to get-together
Discuss during meetings prior to departure
Set up a date and time
Select venue
Menu
Share photos
Talk about future trips

33. Thoughts & Observations

You are offering students a life-changing
experience.
To quote Mark Twain:
“Travel is fatal to prejudice,
bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”
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