Night Train from Paris to Rome

Here's a picture that represents the accommodations that we should expect on the night train, above. As for clothing, you're going to want a comfortable pair of sweats or something similar to sleep in.  Remember, there will be 5 other people in your couchette and you will need to walk past other people to get to the bathroom.

Using your phones in Europe

Here are a couple of articles about using your cell phone in Europe.

• Using an American iPhone in Europe...without going broke
• Smartphones, mostly iPhones, drive robbery rise in Paris metro

Behavior on Tour

·Here are some of the things we went over at our last meeting with regard to behavior on the trip:

        

BEHAVIOR

o   On the bus

§  While the tour director or guide is speaking on the bus, out of respect, no headphones or talking.

o   At the hotel

§  Students may not leave the hotel without parental supervision and must inform group leaders of all plans. Student bed checks will be conducted regularly.

§  Please be at breakfast each morning.

o   Alcohol

§  A parent who is traveling with his/her student can decide whether or not the student may consume alcohol and it may only be done in the presence of that parent

§  All other students may NOT consume alcohol at any time during the tour

§  No hard alcohol permitted under any circumstances

o   Free time

§  Free time during day: groups of 4 are required (include at least one guy in each group)

§  Free time at night:  MUST be with an adult traveler

o   One-way fare

§  Back to U.S. for rule violators:  $1,855 to $2,200

§  We don’t want to send anyone home mid-tour, however we will not hesitate to do so if a student violates the rules.

o   Any issues with the other school’s students

§  Talk to Hemaidan or Fong first and we’ll talk with the other school’s leader

o   Don’t be the “ugly American”

§  No complaining.  Be a traveler, not a tourist.  Things won’t be like they are in U.S. You are in THEIR country. Don’t just talk louder and slower.

Pack Light!

Good article from Rick Steves about packing light.

Train Travel in Europe

The EF Tours blog has a new entry about train travel in Europe.  The first train they mention, the Eurostar out of St. Pancras station in London, is one of the trains that we'll be taking on our trip.

GREAT Advice

You HAVE to watch this video.  GREAT advice!

Since we're on the topic of packing light...

Mrs. Mills on the far left, Mrs. Herrick's head in the center, and Mr. Randall with his neck pillow in the foreground.

Since we're on the topic, we came across a shot from last year's trip that reminded us that packing light is a necessity.  Remember, you have to be able to haul and care for your own luggage.  This picture is taken right after we arrived in Paris and are leaving the Gare du Nord and heading out to our motor coach.  Note that everyone is rolling their suitcase along.

If you're not able to haul your own stuff, it does slow the group down.  There will be times when we're walking a little distance and it's imperative that we all are able to handle our belongings.  So pack light.  It's okay if you wear the same shirt/pants combo more than once; we're looking at Notre Dame Cathedral, not your pants!

Our Tour Director: CONFIRMED!

Bath, England

We just received an email from Chris Mulhern who was the tour director (the EF guide who travels with us the entire trip) on last year's trip led by Mrs. Mills and Mrs. Herrick.  We requested him for this year's trip and we just got confirmation from him that he will indeed be our tour director this year!  Chris is a Brit (currently residing in Bath) who is soft-spoken, even-tempered, and has a lot of local knowledge.  It'll be a pleasure to work with him again and we'll soon be hearing his gentle wake-up call of "Wakey-wakey" over the bus loud-speakers. 

Here are the contents of his email to us below:

A belated Happy New Year to you too.

I've just been confirmed as your TD which I'm delighted about. I had originally been assigned to another tour but managed to get it switched....

Hope you and your family are all well.

Look forward to seeing you before too long!

All the best, now

Chris

Taking Pictures on our Europe Tour

Photo of Trevi Fountain in Rome

EF Tours has a blog that they update each week.  This week they have a feature on taking pictures while on tour.  Check out the blog entry here and start getting your cameras ready!