Some Additional Notes - Europe 2018
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More you might want to know...
Fee It's not easy projecting a trip fee when the trip is over a year away and there are so many unknowns as to actual costs. It's also challenging dealing with multiple international currencies. Some of our trip expenses will be paid in US dollars, but most of the costs will be in euros, English pounds. Swiss francs, and Czech korunas. The 2018 Europe trip fee is $4,850. This is actually less per day than our 2015 trip. That is possible (I hope) because the dollar is stronger now than it was then. Two things to note. This fee was based on euro to dollar on March 31, 2017 of 1 euro equals $1.07 US. The fee is also based on our traveling with at least twelve boys. If the dollar should lose more then ten cents US per euro value between now and the trip (or during the trip), the trip fee will need to be adjusted. We've never had to raise the fee in any of our previous five European trips. The fee does not include airfare. What's included in the fee? A first-class Global Eurail Pass, all lodging, all meals and some snacks, all activities (except one as noted below), all guide fees, all gratuities, all other local transportation which can included buses, taxis, gondolas, funiculars, streetcars, trams, trains, all reservation fees we pay to reserve specific train seats, etc. What's not included in the fee? Junk food (except for occasional snacks), souvenirs, and laundry if you wish to send it out. We will ask that boys come with quick-dry clothes (no jeans, etc.) that are light to carry and quick to dry and hopefully they'll come with the knowledge of how to wash out clothes in the hotel sinks. However, boys at their expense can wash clothes in hotels if they have coin machines (some do) and some hotels will have a laundry service which will be quite expensive. We have stayed in some hotels that will offer to wash an entire bag of clothes for just a few euros. I never pass up those opportunities. The only activity not included in the fee is a ticket to see a West End show in London. We realize many boys will have no interest but will provide this opportunity (assuming we end up in London) for those who would like to go. There are usually plenty of "kid-friendly" shows at any given time. We should be able to get a discounted student ticket rate. |
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Medical Emergencies |
If a participant becomes ill or injured, the leaders will do whatever is necessary to preserve the participant’s health and safety including, without limitation, obtaining medical treatment at parents’ expense. This could include transporting the participant back to his home for medical reasons. Parents agree to pay or reimburse any extra expenses incurred on the participant’s behalf. Trip insurance is available from private companies that could cover special travel arrangements and medical care. Dr. Jesse Jorgensen and Dr. Zach George will be two of the leaders on this trip which should be a comfort to parents, however...we don't plan to use their medical services!
Please let us know if there are any medical conditions that would necessitate special consideration and care during the trip. A “permission to treat” form will be required as is a “release of liability.” All forms will be sent to you in early spring. |
More You Should Know |
We cannot be responsible for events beyond our control, including, without limitation, acts of nature, war, strikes, or government restrictions. We are not responsible for loss or damage to luggage or any other personal belongings.
As of now, we do not need visas to travel to any of the countries on our itinerary. This could change though there should be plenty of advance notice. If visas do become required, it will be the parents' responsibility to make sure those are secured. Passports are absolutely required and your son's passport should be good six months beyond our return date. Students are expected to obey all regulations and rules and codes of conduct that might be set by the places we visit, the country’s culture, or by the trip leaders. We have the right to send home with notice to parent or guardian, at parents’ expense, and without escort, any participant who does not adhere to the rules and regulations, or who infringes upon others’ enjoyment of the trip. Unlike our domestic trips, electronics will be allowed on this trip. However, times of use will be limited to non-activity times. Trip Insurance is always a possibility to protect your investment should your son have to cancel after the deadline for cancellations which is March 31, 2018. You should check with travel insurance companies soon as you enroll. Some offer special coverage that only applies if the insurance is purchased within a couple of weeks of paying the deposit. |
View across the Inn River in Innsbruck, Austria - one of our destinations in 2018.
