I'll Fly Away...

IT has arrived! Our FLIGHT ITINERARY! Whoohoo!

Depart: BRITISH AIRWAYS 218 DENVER on 11/20/2008 5:15 PM
Arrive: LONDON on 11/21/2008 9:05 AM
Depart: BRITISH AIRWAYS 307 PARIS on 11/29/2008 10:30 AM
Layover: LONDON on 11/29/2008 11:00 AM
Depart: BRITISH AIRWAYS 219
LONDON on 11/29/2008 12:35 PM
Arrive: DENVER on 11/29/2008 3:25 PM

The Louvre

What a cool place. It would take over a week to really enjoy this, but unfortunately we only have a little less than a day :( Bummer!

However, I thought I'd pass on this web site for y'all to browse through! Find the areas you'd like to explore, the paintings you don't want to miss, the activities you NEED to be part of! We'll see what we can do about making sure you cover the areas you'd like to most see.

Click on the picture for the link to the site!

Meeting Minutes

• Time Zone: London, Mountain Time + 7; Paris, Mountain Time + 8

• Packing: Pack light! 1 checked bag, 1 carry on limit! Leave room for souvenirs or pack a small duffel bag that could be checked/carried on for the return flights. There will be no opportunity to do laundry, however small item can always be washed in a sink. Bring BASIC clothing...i.e those you can wear more than once! A pair of jean can be worn three time with different shirts, You CAN wear the same shirt twice in one week, dress pants look good all the time...also, you don't need a different pair of shoes for each outfit. One good pair of COMFORTABLE walking shoes and maybe one dressier pair of shoes are fine.

• If you pack toiletries put them in a plastic bag so they don't leak...use travel sizes ONLY. We won't be gone that long! Also, if you carry on toiletries, makeup, lotion, etc...it needs to fit in a ziplock bag for security.

• Make sure you pick up plug adaptors if you need to charge ANYTHING (cameras, phones, computers) or use a curler or blow drier. London: 240V, 50Hz; Paris: 220V, 50Hz

• Ladies, please do not carry large purses. Make sure you have a good purse with a good closure to discourage pickpockets.

• Make sure your ATM cards work overseas, your traveler's checks are ordered in time and your credit cards will be widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard are accepted worldwide. Discover and American Express not so much...

• If you get pre-paid phone cards make sure they will work overseas! Not all do!

• Make sure you have enough money! You need to put aside approximately $2-4/day for tips to our guide and bus driver. You can give this to me in advance or at the end.

• Make sure your first and last names match EXACTLY on both the passports and explorica account. If they don't, you aren't who you say you are and we could have problems...

• The drinking ages are as follows: London - 18; Paris - 16 and they don't adhere to these ages. If I catch you, you are in trouble and are going home. Let's have NO problems.

• IMPORTANT: I need from EVERYBODY a photocopy of your passport and ID, your medical history, allergies, and copies of ANY PRESCRIPTION drugs you may have with you. This is to keep problems from arising if questions are asked or something gets lost.

• If you have certain food allergies I need copies of this as well and it is your responsibility to contact the airlines for special foods for inflight meals.

• Exchange Rate Link, as promised: Please watch and find the best rates if this concerns you. It fluctuates daily and most banks, if given enough notice, will watch for the best exchange rates for you as well.

Please DO NOT hesitate to get hold of me with any questions you may have! The more cooperation we have early on, the smoother this will all come together! Thanks!

Worries Over Fees

There has been some comments on the new fees from last month. All I can say about the airline surcharge: If the gas prices went up it was bound to happen. The good thing is our plane tickets were locked in because they are averaging $800 to $1200 more.

Also - the $67 private fee. This was an adjustment from our original quote. Unfortunetely there were students and parents who commited to the trip and then canceled. This is what was e-mailed to me when I inquired:

That’s the Private Group Fee adjustment. Remember that the Private Group Fee is assessed at 99 days before departure and is based on the number of paying participants. Because not as many people enrolled as we had expected when we created the Price Quote and Tour Center last winter (which is what the initial Private Group Fee is based on), the Private Group Fee bumped up a little bit. I’ve included the description of the Private Group Fee directly off of Travelers Lounge, if you wish to pass it along:

“If your group has elected to have its own bus and Tour Director rather than travel with other groups to reach Explorica’s minimum group size requirements, a Private Group Fee will be added to each paying participant’s account at 99 days prior to departure.

Payment should be made promptly and the quoted fee for a private tour is based on your group size and tour length.”

Reservations

A little info on where we will be staying and who we will be with!

11/21/2008 to 11/27/2008

The Alexandra Hotel
159 Sussex Gardens
London W2 2RY
England

Telephone: 011 44 2074026471

This hotel is ideally located near London's Hyde Park and walking distance of Paddington Station with links via the Circle Line and District lines to the sites of London.



11/27/2008 to 11/29/2008

Hotel Campanile Paris Pont de Suresnes
15 boulevard Henri Sellier
Suresnes 92150
France

Telephone: 011 33 158475566

This modern hotel is located to the west of Paris, close to the beautiful Bois de Boulogne and famous Longchamp racecourse. It has 145 air-conditioned rooms, conference rooms and a restaurant.

Our Guide:

Carolyn Goodyear
Carolyn makes an ideal Tour Director, having travelled throughout the world. She has taught English in Japan and Morocco and enjoys introducing others to new cultures and languages. She recently spent time in Boston too.

Forecast Connection

The following links connect you to the monthly averages in both cities. On average we will be looking at highs in the 50's and lows in the mid-30's. Also expect precipitation and damp conditions, although these are not the wettest months in either country.



London, England


Paris, France



I will update the blog with new information regarding the topics discussed at the meeting tonight!

Mile End campus of Queen Mary College, the University of London

Whoops!

I'd like to hold the meeting the 4th! As originally said in the header...not the 5th! It's too hard with sports and the weekend to meet on a Friday! PLus I already have a meeting!

Sorry for that mix up (4 and 5 are next to each other on the keyboard...)!