Spain, Paris, & Normandy

1. Spain, Paris, & Normandy June 13 - June 25, 2019

2. Spring meeting agenda: • We will have a couple of more (very) detailed meetings next year (to go over packing, trip logistics, bookings, currency, using mobile devices etc.), but for today: • Eat pizza! Relax, and get excited about the trip.  • Introductions / trip update • Quick review of the trip (detailed info on Explorica Website—just click on links in blue) • Go over some trip basics / expectations / passports • What we can do in the meantime—so we can be as prepared as possible.  • Answer any questions that you may have

3. About your tour leader…

4. About your chaperones… Mrs. Emily Wayman (Elem. –all subjects) Mrs. Theresa Delphonse (French) Mrs. Deanna Russo (World History)

5. Trip update: We are doing great on our numbers for this trip! At present, we have 24 travelers signed up (plus tour leader, and chaperones). The tour is still open, and with 30, 35, and 40 total travelers, the tour fee will decrease (by $80, $139, & $175, respectively—adjusted at the end). Referrals welcome.  Note: Please let us know as soon as possible, if at some point you need to cancel for some reason.  Also, Explorica is a really easy company to work with, so if at any point problems arise regarding the financial side of the trip, they will work with you. And don’t forget about those fundraiser pages! And, we still have one whole summer, for student travelers to get a job. 

6. What is included in your tour… • Round-trip transportation (air fare), luxury motor coach, and TGV train • 11 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (upgraded hotel in Paris) • Breakfast & dinner daily, at local restaurants • Full-time services of a professional , multilingual tour director (with us 24/7, the whole trip) • Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary • Visits to select attractions and excursions as per itinerary • On-Tour Tipping • Tour Diary™ • ½ HS elective credit available (free). • Note: Tour cost does not include lunch, spending $, airline-imposed baggage fees, or passport fees

7. Tour review… (detailed info at www.explorica.com/wayman-2019) • The Experience is Everything • This 13 –day tour is (mostly) all inclusive, and it will be a great experience for all. • The tour is a balance of: • Cultural immersion- So kids can practice their language skills(and they will also get to experience 2 distinct cultural regions: Catalonia in Spain, and Brittany, in France) • Learning about history & culture- Museum & guided tours of all major sites on the itinerary • Seeing the natural beauty of Spain and France- The Pyrenees Mountains, Mediterranean Sea, French countryside, Normandy D-Day beaches, English Channel / Celtic Sea • … and Fun - Flamenco evening (an evening of learning about / trying this Spanish dancing tradition), tapas dinner, Paris catacombs visit, Eiffel tower ascent (all the way to the top), boat ride on the river Seine in Paris, exploring the medieval streets of Mont Saint Michel, a high-speed train ride, and exploring historic city centers, etc.

8. Highlights of what we will see (in Spain)… • The Prado Roman Aqueducts Maritime Museum • La Sagrada Familia

9. Highlights (in France)… Louvre Notre Dame • Mont Saint Michel • D-Day Beaches

10. Student expectations on this tour… • Friendly reminder: In order to enroll in this tour, students must be… • In good academic standing, well-behaved, and have a clean discipline record.  • Willing to abide by a code of contact (including no drinking alcohol, if 18).  • Willing to experience new things.  • Willing to recognize that they are part of a group.  • Flexible, adventurous, and ready to challenge themselves to “step outside of their comfort zone.”  • As prepared as possible for this trip (don’t worry, we will have some meetings beforehand, and I will send you a ton of resources, electronically—to make sure you are super-prepared for this voyage.).  • Note: Students will have to sign a “good behavior” contract once enrolled. As tour leader, I reserve the right to cancel anyone before departure due to certain incidents (disobedience, violence, drug & alcohol-related offenses, etc.). Also, students who commit such acts during the tour are subject to being sent home immediately, at their, or their parents expense. In the former case, money would be refunded in accordance with your Travel Protection Plan, if purchased. Also, the tour leader reserves the right to deny anyone permission to enroll on this tour. • 

11. In the meantime… • Apply for *passport, if you do not already have one. If you do, please make sure that it is still valid for 6 months after our date of arrival in Europe ( valid until December 13th, 2019). You can apply at the passport office in the post office right across the street. • http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/st-petersburg-passport.html • *Note: I will need a paper or scanned copy of passport before trip. And please make sure to log traveler’s passport info in your Explorica account. • A prepared traveler will have a more enriched experience. Read up / watch vids on the places on our itinerary. Practice / learn languages (the basics) to the best of your ability (in class, movies, music, podcasts, Babbel/ DuoLingo apps.) Get the most out of the experience! • If you see essential items on sale, take advantage (Euro power adaptor, luggage, etc.) PLEASE TAKE A SAMPLE PACKING LIST.

12. Let’s meet the travelers…and let’s mention what we are most excited about regarding this tour. 

13. Questions?

14. Next meeting: TBA (in the fall) Please feel free to contact your tour leader any time (email, call, text, FaceTime), with questions, through Explorica messenger, or at: namyawkcirtap1@yahoo.com (cell) 727– 631-5721 Vivent Spain & France 2019!  www.explorica.com/wayman-2019