Going to France and Spain with 40 high school kids! Need advice!!
May 27th, 2010, 06:11 PM
#42
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Lourdes will be rather warm and very humid, so advise the group. I barely made it up the hill with my full load of Lourdes Water one summer. Had to stop off in an air-conditioned Moroccan restaurant for a couple of hours to recover, and enjoyed a great lunch while we waited to regain our energy.
How are you planning on getting from Donostia-San Sebastian to Barcelona?
How are you planning on getting from Donostia-San Sebastian to Barcelona?
May 28th, 2010, 04:31 AM
#43
A few more thoughts.
There is no dress code for chruches in Europe because "everyone knows" not to walk in naked. similar no dress code in the street. So please ask the guys to dress conservatively in church and not shout. Churches have services (when you should not visit, on signs outside the building) and other times when you can visit, but since these are places of reflection shouting "hay dwayne" from one end to the other is wrong. Mainly you talk in whispers.
Chosing one or two from the list
Carcassonne (i cannot spell either) has three things of interest, it is an ancient walled city (ok the walls have been repaired but still) it is as it was maybe 400 years ago, secondly the canal du midi runs by the city and thirdly the area was in the Cathar crusade. Let the students research all of this.
The old city is not designed for vehicles and you will find that a lot of old europe is not designed for cars or buses so where you might expect to take a coach you will find the locals walk. I used to bring Americans to europe a lot and all the time they seemed un used to walking. This means the guys are going to need good walking shoes
There is no dress code for chruches in Europe because "everyone knows" not to walk in naked. similar no dress code in the street. So please ask the guys to dress conservatively in church and not shout. Churches have services (when you should not visit, on signs outside the building) and other times when you can visit, but since these are places of reflection shouting "hay dwayne" from one end to the other is wrong. Mainly you talk in whispers.
Chosing one or two from the list
Carcassonne (i cannot spell either) has three things of interest, it is an ancient walled city (ok the walls have been repaired but still) it is as it was maybe 400 years ago, secondly the canal du midi runs by the city and thirdly the area was in the Cathar crusade. Let the students research all of this.
The old city is not designed for vehicles and you will find that a lot of old europe is not designed for cars or buses so where you might expect to take a coach you will find the locals walk. I used to bring Americans to europe a lot and all the time they seemed un used to walking. This means the guys are going to need good walking shoes
May 28th, 2010, 06:59 AM
#44
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My teenage daughters and I had dinner at Adelaide Restuarant in the old walled section of Carcassonne at 5 Rue de Adelaide de Toulouse. It has a view of the castle, the food was good, and the service was friendly. Best of all, they had a Chet Baker CD playing as the sun set, which has to be better than Valium. I doubt they could take your whole group at one time, so maybe you can pick a couple of other restaurants for the rest of the group. At first I didn't like Carcassonne because it was so crowded and schlock-touristy ("pasty hordes buying plastic swords" as I wrote in my journal). What turned it around was a very good tour at the castle with a spirited discussion over the worth, or lack thereof, of some of the contemporary art in the gallery (e.g., varnished rocks, out of focus black and white pictures of feet), seeing a beautiful Pieta and stained glass at the church (St. Roch?) near the castle, and the calm that descended upon the old city as the crowds left.
May 28th, 2010, 09:18 AM
#45
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Excellent and useful hints on technics and how to, very useful know-how, indeed. If you lead students, what about an ISIC card and the chance to meet other students in Europe? Just a suggestion.
But, most important: it is all in the head. What are you doing to make your students courious about that what they are going to see? Couriosity is the key.
But, most important: it is all in the head. What are you doing to make your students courious about that what they are going to see? Couriosity is the key.
May 28th, 2010, 05:31 PM
#46
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If you want to bone up on pickpocket avoidance information - the below website and many pages that discuss pickpockets, how they operate, common locations where they seem to target travelers, as well as city specific information where they operate. What a real bonus of this website is that many of the pickpocket pages have actual real pickpocket videos so can watch them before you go - Might be a real nice pre-flight educations just to brief the kids on how these thieves operate - especially since many maybe carrying digital cameras. Make sure to check out the pickpockets in restaurants videos so see how slick these thieves are.
Don't get the kids too worried about these thieves - pickpockets operate world-wide. Just consider the pickpocket education part of the travel experience.
The pickpocket info is located at this web page - just scroll down to the pickpocket section: http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...tips/index.php
Also, the same website sells a wide variety of travel accessories - many very unique money pouches that you don't see often - check out the money pouch that is worn with shorts without a belt - great for kids who don't carry a travel bag, purse, or fanny pack. it clips to the bottom of your shirt. They also offer bulk discounts to student travel groups - just give them a call and explain the group. Go to www.corporatetravelsafety.com
Hope it helps - The kids will have a blast!
Don't get the kids too worried about these thieves - pickpockets operate world-wide. Just consider the pickpocket education part of the travel experience.
The pickpocket info is located at this web page - just scroll down to the pickpocket section: http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...tips/index.php
Also, the same website sells a wide variety of travel accessories - many very unique money pouches that you don't see often - check out the money pouch that is worn with shorts without a belt - great for kids who don't carry a travel bag, purse, or fanny pack. it clips to the bottom of your shirt. They also offer bulk discounts to student travel groups - just give them a call and explain the group. Go to www.corporatetravelsafety.com
Hope it helps - The kids will have a blast!
May 30th, 2010, 05:10 AM
#48
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Greetings,
Just back.......thanks for the comments on the pickpockets and some of the cities. Robert, we are either traveling by train or by a luxury bus just for our group. Any one been to toulouse, lourdes or andorra? What places to shop or eat there? Please advise
Just back.......thanks for the comments on the pickpockets and some of the cities. Robert, we are either traveling by train or by a luxury bus just for our group. Any one been to toulouse, lourdes or andorra? What places to shop or eat there? Please advise
May 30th, 2010, 06:24 AM
#49
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Here are some easy hikes in the area. beautiful scenery for those who want to do a bit of exercise and picnic and get out of the bus for some hours and not shop.
http://www.hola-andorra.com/arinsal/...istainagb.html
http://www.hola-andorra.com/arinsal/...istainagb.html
May 30th, 2010, 07:34 AM
#50
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If you haven't decided how you're traveling, you need to do so as soon as possible. Things get busy in mid-June. Bus companies need advanced booking in order to make the arrangements. The logistics of booking everyone onto the same train may be headache unless you're working with someone in France or Spain who can make the arrangements for your group to travel together.
I'd avoid Andorra in June and July simply because of the traffic on the main highway unless you want to go trekking in the Pyrenees, and skiing not great in June, but then there's always shopping (more than 2000 shops) or wild boar hunting.
Lourdes will be a little warmer and humid in the valley, so go prepared. Toulouse is a major (busy) city (think Airbus) with lots to see and do.
The army will be difficult to feed unless you make preparations in advance. Most restaurants in France and Spain are smaller, family style. One of the advantages of Spain is the traditional Asador, a roasting house designed to handle larger crowds.
You can find a list of restaurants that can accommodate a larger crowd, including contact information, in Lourdes at: www.lourdes-infotourisme.com
Also remember that 2010 is a big pilgrimage year and that includes places like Lourdes. Expect to encounter a lot of people on their pilgrimage to Santiago.
I'd avoid Andorra in June and July simply because of the traffic on the main highway unless you want to go trekking in the Pyrenees, and skiing not great in June, but then there's always shopping (more than 2000 shops) or wild boar hunting.
Lourdes will be a little warmer and humid in the valley, so go prepared. Toulouse is a major (busy) city (think Airbus) with lots to see and do.
The army will be difficult to feed unless you make preparations in advance. Most restaurants in France and Spain are smaller, family style. One of the advantages of Spain is the traditional Asador, a roasting house designed to handle larger crowds.
You can find a list of restaurants that can accommodate a larger crowd, including contact information, in Lourdes at: www.lourdes-infotourisme.com
Also remember that 2010 is a big pilgrimage year and that includes places like Lourdes. Expect to encounter a lot of people on their pilgrimage to Santiago.
May 30th, 2010, 09:06 AM
#51
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Thanks Robert and Lincasanova. Robert, we have already our transportation booked. Once we arrive in Paris, we have already booked a luxury bus, and high speed train to take us around. We leave when school gets out at the end of june. It will be muggy. Thanks for the tips on Lourdes, etc. just a simple question as most of the kids remain stubborn and want to wear their vans and flipflops!
With the humidity, would topsiders be ok for walking, and flipflops??
With the humidity, would topsiders be ok for walking, and flipflops??
May 30th, 2010, 01:00 PM
#52
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Flip Flops are fine for the beach, but not on hot city streets, some of which will be cobblestone, if not River Stone, and uneven.
The same thing goes for Topsiders, great for the dock and boat, or kicking around the house, but not when you're going to be on your feet for several hours.
They should be packing at least one good pair of walking shoes, for both city and countryside excursions. They'll thank you at the end of the day. Most of the good walking shoes today are very lightweight and some are even stylish, if you want to spend the money. I wear Mephistos and New Balance.
One other thing to consider, shorts are okay for most excursions into the countryside or at the beach, but Spanish and French restaurant owners generally frown on shorts being worn in their restaurants, by either women or men, regardless of the weather. They'll usually say nothing, but service may end up being somewhat less than you'd expect.
The same thing goes for Topsiders, great for the dock and boat, or kicking around the house, but not when you're going to be on your feet for several hours.
They should be packing at least one good pair of walking shoes, for both city and countryside excursions. They'll thank you at the end of the day. Most of the good walking shoes today are very lightweight and some are even stylish, if you want to spend the money. I wear Mephistos and New Balance.
One other thing to consider, shorts are okay for most excursions into the countryside or at the beach, but Spanish and French restaurant owners generally frown on shorts being worn in their restaurants, by either women or men, regardless of the weather. They'll usually say nothing, but service may end up being somewhat less than you'd expect.
May 30th, 2010, 05:18 PM
#54
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Another small tip about shoes: Wear the heaviest pair onto the plane. Good walking shoes are essential, but also heavy, so better to wear than to carry. No, flip-flops aren't good enough for serious tourist walking, or even navigating airports and public transportation. Take them in the checked suitcase to flop around in casual time. The only reason to carry more than one pair of good shoes is in case of rain -- a male viewpoint.
My all-purpose solution is a pair of black athletic shoes designed for walking, sturdy enough for the most wrinkly cobblestones but inconspicuous enough to pass for dress, if somewhat clunky. Not a cheap solution, I admit.
Wear your heaviest pants, too, rather than packing that extra weight. Jeans, while classy in Europe if not ripped, can bulk up the suitcase in a hurry. Light chinos travel better.
No athletic clothes aside from shoes, please, certainly no fleecy track pants, which on an airplane are essentially pajamas and declasse, a good word to research for France (even if you decide to ignore it.)
Teens can get away with expensive brand-name team shirts and hats, but not adults -- one way to acknowledge you are an adult.
By the way, sweat pants make anyone look frumpy on the main street, or shopping mall, back home too.
And in any season, tote a sweater in the carry-on for the flight. Airliners set their own climates and sometimes can be frigid.
P.S.: Fodors could make a good travel article out of all the practical advice on this thread, one of the most useful travel discussions I have encountered on the web.
My all-purpose solution is a pair of black athletic shoes designed for walking, sturdy enough for the most wrinkly cobblestones but inconspicuous enough to pass for dress, if somewhat clunky. Not a cheap solution, I admit.
Wear your heaviest pants, too, rather than packing that extra weight. Jeans, while classy in Europe if not ripped, can bulk up the suitcase in a hurry. Light chinos travel better.
No athletic clothes aside from shoes, please, certainly no fleecy track pants, which on an airplane are essentially pajamas and declasse, a good word to research for France (even if you decide to ignore it.)
Teens can get away with expensive brand-name team shirts and hats, but not adults -- one way to acknowledge you are an adult.
By the way, sweat pants make anyone look frumpy on the main street, or shopping mall, back home too.
And in any season, tote a sweater in the carry-on for the flight. Airliners set their own climates and sometimes can be frigid.
P.S.: Fodors could make a good travel article out of all the practical advice on this thread, one of the most useful travel discussions I have encountered on the web.
May 30th, 2010, 08:56 PM
#55
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When we traveled with students they took jeans, shorts (longer length for both guys and girls), some of the girls wore capris and skirts (knee length). Our students had hoodies in their carryon for the flight and they never left the hotel without a light waterproof jacket in their daypacks. They all had hats or caps with them. We suggested they take 2 pairs of shoes (in case one pair gets wet), and most took a pair of sandals and a pair of runners. A few had flip flops that they wore around the hotel in the evening. We met many student tour groups throughout Italy and they were all dressed in much the same attire!!
It's always a good idea to make sure everyone including the chaperones know what the day will bring so they can be dressed appropriately!! A few of the girls on our tour (from another school) arrived in strappy sandals and short skirts the day we toured Assisi. They were soon asking the bus driver to help them find their luggage so they could change their shoes. Some of the chaperones with the other group were also not prepared for all the walking that was required and were complaining about aches and pains the entire trip.
It's always a good idea to make sure everyone including the chaperones know what the day will bring so they can be dressed appropriately!! A few of the girls on our tour (from another school) arrived in strappy sandals and short skirts the day we toured Assisi. They were soon asking the bus driver to help them find their luggage so they could change their shoes. Some of the chaperones with the other group were also not prepared for all the walking that was required and were complaining about aches and pains the entire trip.
