chasing the sirens

Chasing the Sirens

April 18th through April 26th 2009

Day 1 …Board an overnight flight to Athens

Day 2…Welcome to Athens

The Cradle of Democracy

Take a walking tour of Athens

To do some shopping !

Day 3 …Saronic Gulf Cruise

It is so calm you won’t even need Dramamine

Day 4 ..Guided Sightseeing tour of Athens

Day 5 …Guided Sightseeing of Epidauraus and Mycenae

The acoustics are unbelievable !

Day 6….Olympia

The first Olympic Games were held here !

Night 6…from Patras to Brindisi

When you wake up, you’ll be in Italy !

Day 7…Guided Tour of Pompeii

If you see smoke, don’t bother running !

Day 8…Guided Tour of Rome

Day 9…Back Home from Rome

Getting There on Saturday. . .

• We will be meeting at Logan Airport 2.5 hours before our flight: 5:30

• Please be prompt.

• We will meet at the Lufthansa counter in Terminal E.

• I will be collecting passports from students once we pass through security.

Hate Driving to Logan?

•Sign up with Ms. Sciacca to take the shuttle•Meet Mr. & Mrs. Young at 4:40

•Take the 5:00 shuttle to Logan

•Bring $12.00 for the one-way shuttle ticket

Drop-Off at Woburn Express!

Flying• Students will be seated randomly on

the plane. • Quietly & quickly negotiate with each

other for seat changes• Please sleep as much as possible

because upon our arrival we will be traveling/touring ALL DAY!

• Wear easy-on/easy-off shoes!• Please remind students to be

courteous and polite (quiet) on the plane and to stay seated.

• You MUST arrange special meals with the airlines in advance.

HOTELS European hotels tend to be smaller

than those in the U.S. and don’t always have elevators

Facecloths and soap are not provided.

Ice is not provided. Students may or may not have a

television/telephone in the room. Lock the door at all times.

Transportation While in Europe we will

have our own charter coach

Safety at the airport

• Please carry passports, tickets, and money in a special pouch close to your body. 

• Do NOT place passports and $$ in a backpack!

• Make sure to sign your passport!

•Each day, students should take out only what is needed and not become distracted. 

•There are pickpockets, so be aware at all times.

•Students must be with other members of our group at all times, even to go to the bathroom! 

• The teachers will hold the airline tickets once we are in Europe.

•Teachers will also hold passports once we are in Europe – we will hand out an extra Xerox copy of passports for ID.  

Safety

Luggage• Only ONE check-in medium

suitcase is allowed.• Each student may carry-on

a bag to fit under the seat.• * Please note: Filled

backpacks will not fit under the seat. 

• Everyone must carry their own bags at all times.

• Check with airlines for up-to-date regulations on carry-on liquids!

•Oversize suitcases do not fit on the bus!

•YOU will be charged for any excess weight. (40 lbs MAX)

•NO COMPUTERS PLEASE!

•Please be sure to have a tag on your luggage. 

No Elevators?!?

Health and Medications• Please fill out the Medical Release

Form• A chaperone will carry all the forms

regarding allergies, medications etc.• Travelers will be responsible for their

own medications.• All prescriptions must be in an original,

labeled container and should be carried on the plane.

• For extra safety, consider sending your traveler with a spare prescription

• Please supply your child with Tylenol, aspirin, band-aids, tissues, cough drops, allergy medication, etc.

Food• Meals are chosen to

satisfy all (zzz…)• Breakfast will include:

juice, coffee, tea, roll, croissant, cereal, jam, cheese, and fruit

• Independent lunches should be used to experiment with local dishes

• Dinners are typically meat, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, salad, fruit, dessert

•If you are a vegetarian, please tell us tonight. 

You may not change in the middle of the tour!!! 

•Drinks are not included with dinner. Soft- drinks are expensive! We suggest students take turns each night buying a large bottle of water to share.

Telephone Calling cards are recommended,

but should be purchased through EF.   

Phoning, at best, can be difficult (time wise and cost, etc.)

Set expectations for phoning home with the travelers.

Remember the time difference! 

Boston Athens Rome

12:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.

Time Differences by our Airport

Stops

Mo’ $$$ NO TRAVELER’S

CHECKS Exchange rates are

best on a credit or debit card used in Europe

We encourage the use of ATM cards.

www.eftravelcard.com

• Please use credit or

debit cards BEFORE

leaving the US to ensure

that they work.

• Notify banks of travel!

• Passwords may not

exceed 6 digits.

Purchasing meals- lunch/snacks ($15/day) Purchasing water every day Souvenirs Optional or spontaneous excursions

Have $75Euros when we land in Athens

Students will need money for:

Current Exchange Rate

$1 USD to $1.36 EU

Clothing• School clothes are

appropriate for every day. • Nothing flashy or loud• You need an umbrella,

hat, or rain slicker.• Layers!!• One nice outfit

•Limit clothes and shoes!

•Take a Jacket

•Wear sneakers!

•No new shoes!

WEATHER

The weather is about a month ahead of New England, but is also unpredictable

Only 6 days of rain on average

70° Average High

WEATHER

• To access the 10-day forecast please go to:

Weather.com

Plug-in: – Athens, Greece

– Rome, Italy

Coming Home

•I will make one phone call once we land to activate the phone chart.

•We will be landing around 6:30, but will still have to clear customs before heading back

•We fly back into Logan and take an EF bus back to the Tech

Ciao!