Eurotrip 2011, 40 students to Paris/Florence/Rome/Athens/5 days on Aegean
Nov 1st, 2010, 12:22 AM
#41
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Hi teacherCanada,
Thanks for the update.
What a lot of work you have done! It sounds like the makings of a wonderful trip, and I'm happy for you that the day saved with the Aegean flight will enable you to visit Pompeii. Keep the updates coming, and I look forward to reading your trip report next year.
Thanks for the update.
What a lot of work you have done! It sounds like the makings of a wonderful trip, and I'm happy for you that the day saved with the Aegean flight will enable you to visit Pompeii. Keep the updates coming, and I look forward to reading your trip report next year.
Nov 1st, 2010, 04:40 AM
#42
What monastery/convent are you using in Rome?
Make sure everyone knows the luggage restrictions for Aegean, especially the hand luggage.
>>>Economy class
Baggage
Each passenger may carry baggage weighing up to 20 kilos on all domestic and international flights, to be handed over at check-in. Infants (0 – 2 years old) have a baggage allowance of up to 10 kilos and one fold-up, collapsible stroller.
Hand luggage
Each passenger may carry on board the plane 1 item of hand luggage, weighing no more than 8 kilos and measuring no more than 55cm in length x 40cm in height x 20cm in width.
Excess baggage charges
On domestic flights, passengers will be charged €2 for each kilo over the appropriate limit. On international flights the charge for each excess kilo will be equivalent to 1.5% of the official IATA fare. For more information, please contact our reservations department.
Make sure everyone knows the luggage restrictions for Aegean, especially the hand luggage.
>>>Economy class
Baggage
Each passenger may carry baggage weighing up to 20 kilos on all domestic and international flights, to be handed over at check-in. Infants (0 – 2 years old) have a baggage allowance of up to 10 kilos and one fold-up, collapsible stroller.
Hand luggage
Each passenger may carry on board the plane 1 item of hand luggage, weighing no more than 8 kilos and measuring no more than 55cm in length x 40cm in height x 20cm in width.
Excess baggage charges
On domestic flights, passengers will be charged €2 for each kilo over the appropriate limit. On international flights the charge for each excess kilo will be equivalent to 1.5% of the official IATA fare. For more information, please contact our reservations department.
Nov 1st, 2010, 12:50 PM
#44
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What lucky students!! It's amazing that you have been able to put a trip together for this long for so little $$. Kudos. Are you flying open jaw from Toronto to Paris and then Athens to Toronto??
I'm in Buffalo and may look at Toronto for our flight if less $$. What airline are you using if you don't mind my asking?? Our route will be different. We need to get to Cairo and then returning from Athens.
I'm in Buffalo and may look at Toronto for our flight if less $$. What airline are you using if you don't mind my asking?? Our route will be different. We need to get to Cairo and then returning from Athens.
Nov 1st, 2010, 01:22 PM
#45
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chris45ny - thanks, for the encouragement. We fly from Toronto to Paris with a 1.5 hour stop in Montreal. This glitch is due to the travel agency missing earlier flights that would have met our needs better. This is the best we could do instead of a direct, non-stop Toronto to Paris. .... but, it is certainly something we can live with. This flight is with Air Canada.
Our second flight is Rome to Athens via Aegean Air.
Our return flight is from Athens to Frankfurt on Lufthansa. Our final leg home from Frankfurt to Toronto is with Air Canada. I believe Air Canada and Lufthansa codeshare which makes all this easier for them.
When we travelled to Cairo in 2005 and 2009 we flew to Cairo via Frankfurt, but I am sure it is possible to make the connection you would like to see happen. Are you travelling with a school group?
Actually, the price per student is less than $4200, but we add on an additional amount that everyone contributes to for our "group fund" which pays for bussing to and from our home town to Toronto airport, some group lunches, special surprises (that I can't tell anyone about yet) and some tipping for guides. I don't like going back to students with additional costs for these things, so we just add on an amount at the beginning, expecting extra costs to hit us later.
tC
Our second flight is Rome to Athens via Aegean Air.
Our return flight is from Athens to Frankfurt on Lufthansa. Our final leg home from Frankfurt to Toronto is with Air Canada. I believe Air Canada and Lufthansa codeshare which makes all this easier for them.
When we travelled to Cairo in 2005 and 2009 we flew to Cairo via Frankfurt, but I am sure it is possible to make the connection you would like to see happen. Are you travelling with a school group?
Actually, the price per student is less than $4200, but we add on an additional amount that everyone contributes to for our "group fund" which pays for bussing to and from our home town to Toronto airport, some group lunches, special surprises (that I can't tell anyone about yet) and some tipping for guides. I don't like going back to students with additional costs for these things, so we just add on an amount at the beginning, expecting extra costs to hit us later.
tC
Nov 1st, 2010, 01:54 PM
#46
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kybourbon - thanks for your message and caution about luggage on Aegean Airlines. We try so hard to have our participants learn the lessons about packing light. Maybe with the financial penalties from Aegean Air they will listen more closely.
Our itinerary has us scheduled for the Monastery Casa Ferie San Giuseppe in Rome. I found it on Googlemaps and it is right beside the river and what looks like a pedestrian bridge. I am pleased with the central location. I think staying in a monastery will add another level of excitement and intrigue to participants. I haven't looked to see if there are any restrictions on access to the rooms or a curfew, but we will certainly try to adapt to their protocols.
tC
Our itinerary has us scheduled for the Monastery Casa Ferie San Giuseppe in Rome. I found it on Googlemaps and it is right beside the river and what looks like a pedestrian bridge. I am pleased with the central location. I think staying in a monastery will add another level of excitement and intrigue to participants. I haven't looked to see if there are any restrictions on access to the rooms or a curfew, but we will certainly try to adapt to their protocols.
tC
Nov 1st, 2010, 03:19 PM
#47
Yes, a good location, just a short walk across the river from Campo di Fiori and Piazza Navona. I think it was a former convent (still listed on the Italian Tourist Board under housing/religious institute, but no order listed so I'm not sure you will see any nuns. They don't list a curfew on the tourist board site (convents with curfews usually list them on there). I hope you got a good group rate as they have increased their rates quite a bit in the last year.
http://www.060608.it/en/accoglienza/...-giuseppe.html
You should be able to walk some places or if your group has bus passes there are trams, electric buses and other buses from there to the main sites. These transport maps are slow to load, but the tram map (linee tranviarie) and the electric bus map (linee elettriche) might be useful if you plan to use public transportation. The Roma Centro map is also good for regular bus lines, but it's really slow to load and you have to zoom multiple times.
http://www.atac.roma.it/index.asp?p=18
http://www.060608.it/en/accoglienza/...-giuseppe.html
You should be able to walk some places or if your group has bus passes there are trams, electric buses and other buses from there to the main sites. These transport maps are slow to load, but the tram map (linee tranviarie) and the electric bus map (linee elettriche) might be useful if you plan to use public transportation. The Roma Centro map is also good for regular bus lines, but it's really slow to load and you have to zoom multiple times.
http://www.atac.roma.it/index.asp?p=18
Nov 1st, 2010, 06:20 PM
#48
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kybourbon - you are a gem. Thanks so much. I'm not sure about the rate since we don't see that information - but we are pleased with our rate per student that the travel company is charging. They did mention that it was no cheaper than staying at a hotel - but I think that may be posturing on their part.
tC
tC
Nov 2nd, 2010, 09:52 AM
#49
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teacherCanada-Thanks for sharing your flight info. Alas, I'm a retired teacher-first grade so never any interesting field trips for me!!! My daughter teaches high school history in Portland, Oregon. I'm going to tell her about your amazing trip. Don't know if her school system would allow the kind of trip you're doing. You're lucky your district does. Hope these students will appreciate how lucky they are. Smart thinking about just adding in extra for any extras that may pop up. You must be super organized. I'm getting some weird looks from friends about my researching/planning as our trip doesn't take place until mid May 2011. I like to plan ahead!! Have a wonderful and safe journey!!
Nov 2nd, 2010, 01:37 PM
#51
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chris45ny - sometimes planning the trip is nearly as exciting as travelling. I have already planned our trip for March 2012 to Morocco and Spain. It has been sent to 7 travel professionals and I am waiting to see how they respond and how much they will charge us to organize the trip. We start planning our trips 2 years prior to departure.
Planning ahead is an excellent use of your time.
tC
Planning ahead is an excellent use of your time.
tC
Nov 2nd, 2010, 04:38 PM
#52
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nukesafe and teacherCanada-Thanks-I feel better now!! You're right about the apts. The one we were interested in for Rome was already booked for a year!! The good ones go fast. The planning is exciting. I enjoy reading about the places I'm thinking about visiting-the history, culture, etc.-even the food!!!
tC-Guess when you're taking a large group, you have to plan well ahead-the logistics from getting from place to place must be mind-boggling! Morocco and Spain-how exciting!! You must be the most popular teacher in your school!
tC-Guess when you're taking a large group, you have to plan well ahead-the logistics from getting from place to place must be mind-boggling! Morocco and Spain-how exciting!! You must be the most popular teacher in your school!
Jan 4th, 2011, 07:34 PM
#53
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Well, we are 63 days prior to departure. We've had one female student withdraw from the trip due to medical reasons. She is pursuing the cancelation insurance to have her payments returned. We are actively seeking an appropriate female replacment for her, but it is not easy. Asking someone to fork over $4000 in such a short time puts a strain on the finances of most families. We are sorry to lose that student, but hopeful we will get another wonderful student traveller to replace her.
Our chaperone team (7 adults) meets this week for dinner to get to know each other better, to review some of the protocols for the trip and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Three chaperones are teachers (including me), the other four are community members, two of whom are parents of student travellers. Only the two lead chaperones are active in the trip planning, so there is a real need to keep the other adults informed and up to date.
In the next day or so we will be ordering our trip sweatshirts. Everyone in our group receives a black, full-zippered hoodie with Canada embroidered on the front and Eurotrip 2011 embroidered at bum level on the back. On one sleeve you find our names embroidered, on the other, the 12 stars symbolic of the European Union. If you see us anywhere - please introduce yourself! We are also supplying two t shirts to each traveller. One is black in colour and has a map of our travels on the front with our itinerary on the back. The other t shirt is white with bright blue screening (symbolic of the colours of the Greek flag). On the front is the route we will follow in Greece and on the back are the words GREEK WEEK and a brief itinerary of our 7 days in that wonderful country.
I need to acknowledge the fine support I have received from Fodorites as we have worked through the planning of this trip over the past 16 months. Thank you to each and every one of you. This educational excursion has become much better because of you and your suggestions.
I will provide a few more updates as we get closer to our departure date.
tC
Our chaperone team (7 adults) meets this week for dinner to get to know each other better, to review some of the protocols for the trip and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Three chaperones are teachers (including me), the other four are community members, two of whom are parents of student travellers. Only the two lead chaperones are active in the trip planning, so there is a real need to keep the other adults informed and up to date.
In the next day or so we will be ordering our trip sweatshirts. Everyone in our group receives a black, full-zippered hoodie with Canada embroidered on the front and Eurotrip 2011 embroidered at bum level on the back. On one sleeve you find our names embroidered, on the other, the 12 stars symbolic of the European Union. If you see us anywhere - please introduce yourself! We are also supplying two t shirts to each traveller. One is black in colour and has a map of our travels on the front with our itinerary on the back. The other t shirt is white with bright blue screening (symbolic of the colours of the Greek flag). On the front is the route we will follow in Greece and on the back are the words GREEK WEEK and a brief itinerary of our 7 days in that wonderful country.
I need to acknowledge the fine support I have received from Fodorites as we have worked through the planning of this trip over the past 16 months. Thank you to each and every one of you. This educational excursion has become much better because of you and your suggestions.
I will provide a few more updates as we get closer to our departure date.
tC
Jan 6th, 2011, 07:45 PM
#55
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Ah, travelerjan, these hoodies are the mark of a truly adventurous traveller. They must be earned. Are you up for it? Can you spend 18 days travelling with 40 wonderful (but occasionally rowdy and fun-loving) teenagers? By the way, they cost $62 Canadian (which is about $64 US at the latest exchange rates!). If you ever see a sweatshirt like that, ask the wearer to intoduce you to Mr. C.
tC
tC
Jan 6th, 2011, 11:49 PM
#56
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wow - I can't believe its here already! I remembered reading (with pleasure) the Egypt trip report.
I was so impressed with the coordination and tactics you have honed and used over the years. What a great experience and I bet your travelers use this experience as one to springboard themselves into further international travel.
A few things:
- do the kids still chose a topic and do an in-depth study of it before the trip for presenting on the trip ?
I can't wait to hear about the "surprises". I'm a big fan of Paris - I think they will love the Fat Tire Bike Tour. Have you done that before ? If you haven't, they will stop for about an hour in the middle of the tour at one of the cafes in the Tuileries. It is a break for a snack, a beer, or an ice cream... but be prepared for both the cost aspect as well as the logistics of that. The kids don't 'have' to sit down, they could walk in the Tuileries instead, but obviously, knowing in advance how to handle it is critical for you.
We did 2 private tours in Paris - with paris muse. They were great! "How Buildings Can Talk" - walking tour from the Place des Vosges to Notre Dame and a Louvre scavenger tour. It probably isn't in your budget or time schedule, but I would recommend either.
Do you have Berthillon or Amorino built into the budget in Paris ? It would be fun to have both and have a running taste test going !
can't wait!
I was so impressed with the coordination and tactics you have honed and used over the years. What a great experience and I bet your travelers use this experience as one to springboard themselves into further international travel.
A few things:
- do the kids still chose a topic and do an in-depth study of it before the trip for presenting on the trip ?
I can't wait to hear about the "surprises". I'm a big fan of Paris - I think they will love the Fat Tire Bike Tour. Have you done that before ? If you haven't, they will stop for about an hour in the middle of the tour at one of the cafes in the Tuileries. It is a break for a snack, a beer, or an ice cream... but be prepared for both the cost aspect as well as the logistics of that. The kids don't 'have' to sit down, they could walk in the Tuileries instead, but obviously, knowing in advance how to handle it is critical for you.
We did 2 private tours in Paris - with paris muse. They were great! "How Buildings Can Talk" - walking tour from the Place des Vosges to Notre Dame and a Louvre scavenger tour. It probably isn't in your budget or time schedule, but I would recommend either.
Do you have Berthillon or Amorino built into the budget in Paris ? It would be fun to have both and have a running taste test going !
can't wait!
Jan 7th, 2011, 01:29 PM
#57
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Hi Surfmom. It is nice to connect with you again. I have always been impressed with our student travellers, how well they adapt and behave. This group of 40 is absolutely incredible. They are positive, encouraging and responsible. All I need to do now is ensure the chaperones behave the same way!
Yes, each student will be completing an "Ask the Expert" topic wherein they become the resident expert on one aspect of our time away. They prepare a 5 - 7 minute presentation which is given to the group while we wait for flights, have breakfast, ride on a coach or at our evening group sessions. This is rewarding because the student researches a topic then gets to actually visit and introduce it to our group. In my mind this is what travel education is built on.
You might be remembering our 2008 Eurotrip when the group did the Fat Tire Bike trip in the afternoon. We had so much fun. We do have a few surprises up our sleeves - but I can't divulge them just yet ... but one involves water.
We are staying at the BVJ youth hostel in Paris, located only about 300 m from Notre Dame on the left bank. Do you think we will have time for a walk to Ile St. Louis to visit Berthillon and/or Amorino? I certainly think we can squeeze it in ... maybe daily, maybe morning and evening, maybe every hour on the hour. I sure hope we get some.
I have heard of the paris muse tours and the one about "How Buildings Talk" sounds incredibly interesting. I will do some research. Our itinerary is already established, but because this is a custom tour and we don't have to answer to any travel company for our decisions, we do have some flexibility.
We are hosting the chaperone team for dinner tonight - so I had better clean up the house and get things in order.
tC
Yes, each student will be completing an "Ask the Expert" topic wherein they become the resident expert on one aspect of our time away. They prepare a 5 - 7 minute presentation which is given to the group while we wait for flights, have breakfast, ride on a coach or at our evening group sessions. This is rewarding because the student researches a topic then gets to actually visit and introduce it to our group. In my mind this is what travel education is built on.
You might be remembering our 2008 Eurotrip when the group did the Fat Tire Bike trip in the afternoon. We had so much fun. We do have a few surprises up our sleeves - but I can't divulge them just yet ... but one involves water.
We are staying at the BVJ youth hostel in Paris, located only about 300 m from Notre Dame on the left bank. Do you think we will have time for a walk to Ile St. Louis to visit Berthillon and/or Amorino? I certainly think we can squeeze it in ... maybe daily, maybe morning and evening, maybe every hour on the hour. I sure hope we get some.
I have heard of the paris muse tours and the one about "How Buildings Talk" sounds incredibly interesting. I will do some research. Our itinerary is already established, but because this is a custom tour and we don't have to answer to any travel company for our decisions, we do have some flexibility.
We are hosting the chaperone team for dinner tonight - so I had better clean up the house and get things in order.
tC
Feb 12th, 2011, 07:30 PM
#58
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25 days until we depart. I must say that nearly every aspect of this educational excursion is coming together very nicely. There have been a few headaches and upsets, but the two co-lead chaperones are really comfortable with where we sit 25 days prior to departure.
Our black hoodie sweatshirts and two t shirts have arrived and they look great! They will be distributed next Wednesday (3 weeks prior to departure) at the parent/guardian/participant meeting. This meeting is used to provide last minute information to travellers and their parents. It is also when parents sign a form (subsequently notarized) that provides lead chaperones with the legal authority to take minor children (our students) across an international border. Besides that document, the paperwork for group travel is staggering, The travel agency, school and school board each have their own requirements.
The chaperone team has met twice for several hours each time to discuss all aspects of this trip. We are blessed with a wonderful group of positive adults who truly want to provide the youth with a great experience.
Our itinerary is wonderful. Our travel agency has done a 'fantasmic' job knitting together nearly all of our unusual requests. It's hard to believe they have met so many of our wishes.
This is a simple version of our itinerary: Depart Wednesday, March 9. Paris for 4 days, 3 nights (youth hostel). Night train (TGV) from Paris to Florence. 2 nights in Florence (hotel). Coach from Florence to Rome. 3 Nights in Rome (monastery) which includes a day trip by coach to Pompeii. Quick afternoon flight from Rome to Athens. 2 night in Athens (hotel) then board our cruise ship for a 4 night/5 day loop around the Aegean Sea. We stop at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini. One last night in Athens, then a long, tiring flight home via Frankfurt to Canada.
The next few weeks are bound to be busy - but this trip owes much of its planning success to the support and suggestions of the Fodorite community. I'll try to answer any questions you might have.
tC
Our black hoodie sweatshirts and two t shirts have arrived and they look great! They will be distributed next Wednesday (3 weeks prior to departure) at the parent/guardian/participant meeting. This meeting is used to provide last minute information to travellers and their parents. It is also when parents sign a form (subsequently notarized) that provides lead chaperones with the legal authority to take minor children (our students) across an international border. Besides that document, the paperwork for group travel is staggering, The travel agency, school and school board each have their own requirements.
The chaperone team has met twice for several hours each time to discuss all aspects of this trip. We are blessed with a wonderful group of positive adults who truly want to provide the youth with a great experience.
Our itinerary is wonderful. Our travel agency has done a 'fantasmic' job knitting together nearly all of our unusual requests. It's hard to believe they have met so many of our wishes.
This is a simple version of our itinerary: Depart Wednesday, March 9. Paris for 4 days, 3 nights (youth hostel). Night train (TGV) from Paris to Florence. 2 nights in Florence (hotel). Coach from Florence to Rome. 3 Nights in Rome (monastery) which includes a day trip by coach to Pompeii. Quick afternoon flight from Rome to Athens. 2 night in Athens (hotel) then board our cruise ship for a 4 night/5 day loop around the Aegean Sea. We stop at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini. One last night in Athens, then a long, tiring flight home via Frankfurt to Canada.
The next few weeks are bound to be busy - but this trip owes much of its planning success to the support and suggestions of the Fodorite community. I'll try to answer any questions you might have.
tC
Feb 13th, 2011, 08:10 AM
#60
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tC, thanks for the update. I'm looking forward to reading your report about the trip and especially the students' reactions to all the wonderful places on the itinerary. Trains, busses, planes, and cruise ship--this will be an experience. Thanks for the details--it brings the trip to life.
