Going to France and Spain with 40 high school kids! Need advice!!
 

At the end of June there is a group of 50 going to france and spain and need your input please!! For luggage requirements, when the paperwork states 28x22 which is the height, which is width or are the total dimensions counted?

Also, I haven't been to Paris in 20 years. As a teenager, I wore shorts and carried a backpack. A couple of the teachers stated that people don't wear shorts in Paris. Is this true? They said a couple of the churches may be strict about outerwear. I have not found this to be true in Spain and was wondering what the dress code for tourists are.

Last but not least, students always like to take backpacks. I do know that there are pickpockets out there. Should the kids take backpacks and put a lock on them, or just carry a backpack, but also have a money belt on?

I would appreciate any input! We are sooo excited.

I take groups of 20 adults to various cities throughout Europe.

To prevent mishaps, I like to enforce the following guidelines:

1. Backpacks: anything in a backpack can be stolen. Do not carry valuables in a backpack!

2. Money belt: I have found the best form of carrying money and credit cards is a soft travel wallet with a loop that goes through the belt and can be stuffed under your pants. My wallet is not big enough for a passport, but more comfortable and steal-proof.

3. Everyone keeps an itinerary with them. That way they can always find the group if they get lost.

4. If they have cell phones, make sure they have numbers of the leaders and other cell phone carriers in case of emergency

5. Make meeting times all over in case people get lost.

6. Have them bring skirts or capri pants for days when visiting churches. People where shorts all over Europe and have come in fashion again among the young people this summer.

7. Good walking shoes! It's OK to bring a pair of flip flops or sandals but make sure they have good walking shoes (tennis shoes) as well.

8. Do they have to carry around their passports? I've always found passports to be bulky and easy to lose. Perhaps the leader can collect them and keep them in a safe during the trip.

These are just a few ideas that popped into my mind.

I appreciate your reply. I will pass the thoughts on to the other leaders. How about weather in France end of June? Also while I am thinking about this, is it safe to let kids wander around in groups of three on their 'freetime' Any danger in Paris or Barcelona in the evening?

Some churches may have dress requirements for modesty--it does not matter that you are a tourist. In general, these requirements would be to cover the legs from knees up (no knees or thighs exposed) and cover the shoulders (no tank tops). While there may not be someone at the door of every church screening visitors, I have no doubt there will be a sign depicting the desired style of clothing. Your group may be touring the church, but others in the church may be worshipping. This is a good moment to teach your students about regional differences and comply respectfully with the local customs.

All I can say is drink copious amounts of red wine!!!

Do a search for teachercanada on FODORS.
He regularly leads trips with groups of 30-40 HS kids and then writes the most interesting and well scribed trip reports covering every aspect of the trip, from the planning to arrival back home and everything inbetween (fun on the plane, adventures in the airports, what they did in the countries, what the kids enjoyed doing and seeing, what they ate, how sickness and homesickness was dealt with, where they lodged and who their guides were, etc.). His trip to France and Spain was one of his best, as was his recent one to Egypt.
He also puts a huge amount of extra effort in making the trip as trouble free as possible, and plans pleasant surprises for the kids to give them unexpected cultural memories. His students are very lucky and blessed to have him do what he does.
You may find his reports in the TR section, or else in the Europe and Africa forums.

M.

In the same vein as Ellenem's sugegstion--

Once you arrive, will you be traveling as one large ameoba or smaller bunches of cytoplasm?

Because kids are kids, fifty kids will be noisy and many places like museums or the churches require silence. Even fifty kids entering stores like Galeries Lafayette or El Cortes Ingles can be staggerin, let alone a neighborhood shop.

So to find balance with their natural enthusiasm and the realities of travel, will be challenging.

And where are do you intend to eat? Fifty kids plus escorts would overwhelm the vast number of European restaurants.

Matthieu, what a great idea for teachercanada. I have begun reading his trip stories to france and am hanging on every word. Great ideas and things I did not think of.

Aduchamp, thank goodness the kids will be split into groups of 5-7 with a chaparone. Of course we will be going to the touristy spots, notre dame cathedral, eiffel tower, etc. etc, but as cytomplasmic groups it should be much easier. Our breakfasts and dinners are already planned, we will receive the itinerary next week. Lunch will be on our own. We adults will probably love the French food, the kids would probably like mcdonalds or starbucks.

Any more ideas? How about luggage issues on the flight and for check in? Please advise and thanks!

A couple ideas that worked for us when we traveled with students:
I made a small card listing the names, addresses and phone numbers of each of our hotels. The cards were wallet size so they could carry them all the time. Fortunately no one got separated but we felt better knowing they could at least take a taxi back to where we were staying.
If you are using public transportation (busses, subways) devise a plan before hand just in case the whole group doesn't get on the subway at the same time or doesn't get off (it didn't happen to us, but we saw a group for students trying to maneuver luggage thru a crowded car on the U Bahn...a couple didn't make it off in time!!!)
As for visiting churches and dress codes, our female students wore capris and many of the males wore shorts (long so their knees were covered) and were not refused entry in Italy. We did make sure that they carried a sweater or jacket in their backpacks that they could put over their bare shoulders.
We collected the passports and held on to them the entire trip.
Have fun...some of the best Europe trips my DH and I have had were with student groups!!!

please don't start out with the idea that they will not be open to trying local foods. there are many cheap and yummy options throughout Europe and food is a wonderful aspect of travel!

I would schedule each group touring tourist areas at different times. One or two groups at 10:00, next group at 11:00, etc. The ones going in the evening can go to other sites in the morning and then they just change areas. This is assuming the leaders know and understand the bus or Metro system and how to use it.

Are you going to buy individual tickets to travel on public transport or are you going to buy a Navigo for each person traveling? The bad part about a Navigo is that is only works Monday to Sunday. A more expensive alternative is the Carte Paris Viste. You might want to research these. Look at: www.parisbytrain.com/

Be sure to take or buy when you get there over the counter meds for stomach problems, blisters (wife says lots of blisters), sunburn, etc.

If any child is on medications, be sure they take a prescription from their Dr. just in case they loose there meds. Also, they must take their meds. in the original container from the pharmist. If the bottle is too big, have their pharmist make a smaller bottle which will hold what they will need while traveling plus a week (think volcano).

Kids can drink at 18 in France, and if with an adult, younger. You might want to think about this and how you will handle a drunk kid. Do not even want to go to the next level.

The Louvre and the Eifel tower are really crowded. Be sure to have a place to meet if separated. At the Eifel Tower especially, there are many pickpockets (gypsies) who will come up to you, shove a piece of cardboard in your face that says something like: do you speak English. Can I have money. I am hungry and have no money. While you are reading this, they or a friend will pick your pockets. The gold ring scam is another- usually done at the Louvre. At least that is whre we saw it done several times.

Sex in Europe is a lot more casual then in US. Tell both sexes to be careful. No unwanted .... brought back home. Back to drinking age . . . .

Limit each child to carry-on allowance and one small (!!!!)suitcase. the suitcase should have handle and wheels. Period. The girls must be able to carry their own without help up and down stairs (metro has few elevators or esculators) Girls will want to take the kitchen/bathroom and bedrooom if you let them. If they have a problem with this, have them load a suitcase and have to carry it around all day shopping. No esculators or elevators allowed. Might change their mind about what they need.

Backpacks can be broken into, even while walking ( I have seen it done) or stollen. Nothing important -like money, passport, credit cards, airline tickets home allowed inside. Each child must bring a secure pouch to put under clothes. Personally, I have a travel vest that has about 15 pockets, some of which are inside and zippered. I wear this and carry our passports, money, credit cards in an inside pocket. Not sure if kids would wear one though. One thing, it would identify them as part of your group. I just looked up travel vests on internet and got sticker shock. Went to ebay and they are a bit cheaper. I bought mine at the Saint-Ouen flea market two years ago for 5 Euro.

How are you going from France to Spain? If by puddle jump airline, luggage can cost more than the ticket. If by train or bus, they have only so much storage room per car or under the bus. Back to two pieces of luggage ONLY.

You did not say how long you are traveling or what cities and how long in cities. If staying more than 2 days in a city in France, clothes washing at a lavier (laundrymat) can be done. Spain has fewer landrymats than Fance.

They are going to want to buy souviners to bring hack. A suggestion would be to have 2 or 3 students buy a cheap suitcase together in France or Spain and bring back goodies in it. Coming home with 2 suitcases is better than going with 2.

If I can help, email me. [email protected]

"Sex in Europe is a lot more casual then in US. Tell both sexes to be careful. No unwanted .... brought back home. Back to drinking age . . . "

I'd like to make a correction, please. It's the same as in the US but we aren't as prude about it.

Another rule : never leave your luggage unattended.

I would be rather careful in Spain particularly Barcelona.I fly as an international flight attendant with a major US airline and we have had alot of problems in Barcelona in the last few months with assaults on our pilots and f/a's down near the Ramblas area and also near our hotel-sometimes in broad daylight.Pickpocketing and problems on the metro are starting to rise too.Madrid hasn't been as bad but also has its problems.These problems seem to have risen due to high levels of unemployment and various groups making assaults for money their way of life.
The one thing that I would also stress to the kids is to dress more appropriately-UGG boots(very hot to wear all day),tank tops with pajama bottoms and wife beaters don't look well in Europe.I am always amazed at what some of the kid tour groups wear overseas and yes, I am a MOM.
Dress in layers,bring an umbrella and be sure to bring a jacket and a pen to fill out the customs form.Off my soapbox,thanks!

"<i>For luggage requirements, when the paperwork states 28x22 which is the height, which is width or are the total dimensions counted?</i>"

You are getting lots of good info/advice, I'll just address the luggage issues.

If that is inches (?) 28X22 is a HUGE bag. Too big to carry and probably too heavy when it is full. Airlines charge for overweight (different weights for different airlines) and a 28X22 bag would be overweight on most carriers.

They each should take • a 21 inch (carry-on), <B>OR</B> • a 24 inch (checked) rolling suitcase, <B>OR</B> • a 24-26 inch rolling duffle (checked)

Nothing larger.

Basically the cities are safe but there are dangerous areas for different reasons.

Ramblas is famous for the Olympic standard pick pocketing. Similar in crosede areas in Paris. Those steeling are not locals but you will not know that. With kids and back packs youwill see them put their bag down and then turn to ask a question. The bag is already stolen so no valuables in back packs.

Dark places and narrow alleys and places after dark are danerous the world over.

I don't think you have to worry ab out appropriate dress in churches. The only place I (actually, my sister) ran into trouble was in Italy. I recall that in Spain there was an admission charge to some cathedrals.

My Niece was in Italy last year and her school taught how to drive her hard shoe into the inside of a man's calf if he came over "all Italian". Seems Kiwi don't take prisoners

To the OP... valium is your friend. :)

My thoughts are that if the kids are getting close to college age and you can't let them out of your sight, then WHAT happens next years when they go to college.

(I took a group of Girl Scouts and several of the other chaperones kept panicing.. I kept pointing out, "if they can't get from point A to point B here exactly HOW do you think they will find thier classroooms next fall without "mommy" walking them to class" )

In Barcelona they should avoid the lower part of the Ramblas at night (from Liceu down to Colon Monument) and the lower part of Raval (right of the Ramblas when you're facing the sea).