Italian

Splendor

April 18th – 27th, 2008

By

Kristin Sciacca

Getting There . . .

• EF is transporting us from Shawsheen Tech to JFK via Coach Bus

• Please DROP OFF your traveler with luggage in the morning

• No cars may be left in the lot over April vacation

• We will store luggage securely in the building.

• We will be split between two flights

• All flights leave from JFK in New York

• All flights will have at least 2 teachers aboard

Still Getting There

Flying• You will be seated randomly on the

plane. Try to check in with your friends.• 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 be courteous and polite (quiet)

on the plane. • Please stay in your seats. • 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. Please bring your own if you use them.

Ice is not provided. Make sure you locate the

emergency exit closest to your room.

You may or may not have a television/telephone in your room.

Lock your door at all times.

Transportation While in Europe we will

have our own charter coach

  Please keep it clean! Use

the trash can!

You may use headphones on the bus except when the guide is speaking. Please take them off and listen courteously!

Safety • 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, take out only what you need and do not allow yourself to be distracted. 

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

•You must have a member of our group with you 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 – have an extra Xerox copy of your passport 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 new 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.• For extra safety, consider sending your

traveler with a spare prescription• Please supply your child with Tylenol,

aspirin, band-aids, tissues, cough drops, etc.

Food• Meals are chosen to satisfy

all (zzz…)• Breakfast will include:

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

• When lunch is on your own you will have more choices

• 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 bought in Italy.   

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

If you expect your child to call home, please tell them!

Remember the time difference! 

Boston/NYC London Frankfurt Milan/Rome

1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.

Time Differences by our Airport

Stops

$$$

Purchasing meals- lunch/snacks ($10/day) Purchasing water every day Souvenirs Optional or spontaneous excursions Have 100 Euros (at least) when we land in Italy

 

Students will need money for:

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.

Passwords may not exceed

6 digits.

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

78 Average High

WEATHER

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

Weather.com

Plug-in: – Rome, Italy

– Venice, Italy

– Florence, Italy

Coming Home

•I will make one phone call once we are on the road to activate the phone chart.

•Be sure to call the next person on the list!!Leaving JFK

around 9:00 p.m.!

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

Ciao!