Things+to+be+aware+of+before+you+travel

__ Tour date and schedule flexibility __ One of the ways EF gets the most affordable group rates, is asking Group Leaders to be flexible with their tour itineraries and departures dates. Your tour and travel date will be confirmed around 70 days before departure. If you are traveling by plane, scheduled trip dates may change up to do 2 days before or after the original scheduled dates, especially when traveling over a school vacation.
 * Things to be aware of before you travel: **

__ Flights __ At times, larger groups may need to split up on to different flights due to the number of seats available. In this case, the Groups Leader should consult with EF to decide who will fly on which itinerary. EF doesn't guarantee that groups will be seated together, as the airline will determine seating assignments upon flight check-in. Due to the special rates that they secure for our flights, airlines will not allow you to accrue frequent flyer miles or upgrade seats for your itinerary. To make any specialized meal requests, please contact the airline directly (no later than 72 hours before departure)

__ Ground transportation __ On most tours, groups typically travel by motorcoach between destinations and on sightseeing tours and excursions. Some itineraries, however, include internal flights or travel by train, cruise ship or ferry. To travel to local activities or during free time, groups generally find it easy to use public transportation. Your Tour director will help you learn the maps and routes.

__ Packing __ You will be asked to load your luggage on and off buses and into hotels (porterage is not available), so students should be encouraged to pack light - one checked suitcase and one carry-on bag (backpack or large purse). Luggage restrictions vary by airlines, so please plan accordingly as __you are responsible for any luggage handling fees charged by the airlines__. We recommend that you have students carry any valuables and medication, along with an extra change of clothes, in their carry-on bag.

__ Tipping __ It is customary to tip your Tour Director and coach driver as a token of appreciation at the end of the tour. EF suggests that each traveler tip the Tour Director $6 per day on tour and $3 per day for the bus driver (if the bus driver is with the group the entire day). Giving a small tip of $1 or $2 per person to both the professional local guide (activity leaders, walking tour guides, etc.) and the activity's transportation driver is also typical. Ideally, all the tip money is fundraised by the students prior to the trip so that parents don't have additional fees. We have found it easiest to collect all the tip money prior to going on the trip, so that students are not individually tipping each guide or driver as the trip progresses.

__ Hotels and Rooming __ You will stay in safe, clean and comfortable hotels with private bathrooms. Hotels, which may be located inside the city center, usually have smaller rooms and fewer amenities (like no air conditioning or elevators) than you are used to in North America. As an adult, you’ll be assigned to a room with two single beds. If you do not designate a roommate, you will be assigned to room with another adult of the same gender - either from your group or one if the other groups also traveling with EF. Couples can request a room with one large bed for an additional charge. Students typically sleep in rooms in groups of 3 or 4 students. Often times there will be two double beds, so students are expected to share. You can take requests from the students and submit those room assignments ahead of time or EF will place the students in rooms for you.

__ Rooming on Night Trains and Ferries (if applicable) __ Sleeping compartments on trains are very small and there are no single or double rooms. Adults and students will room in couchettes of up to six beds that fold down from the wall. Couchettes may not be exclusive to EF travelers and may be co-ed. Shared bathrooms are located outside the compartments in the train corridors. EF accommodations will vary depending on the tour. Generally, adults and students will room in cabins of up to four beds. Single rooms are not always available on overnight ferries and trains. The group leader will always work closely with the Tour Director to make rooming as comfortable as possible.

__ Meals __ Trying authentic local cuisine can be a highlight of traveling, but you should expect portion size to be smaller than what you’re used to at home. Breakfast typically includes cereal, bread or rolls, jam, juice, coffee and tea. Lunch is often your chance to make culinary discoveries of your own. Lunch is sometimes provided on most international tours, but usually "on your own" during to explore on your own. Your Tour Director will be happy to make recommendations. Everyone will have the same meal at dinner, which will be a mix of local specialties and familiar dishes that appeal to younger travelers’ preferred tastes. Dinners are included with your tour, but you will be expected to pay for soft drinks and other beverages. Table water is always provided free of charge; bottled water is provided in those countries where deemed necessary by locals. It is important to notify EF ahead of time if students are vegetarian or have any food allergies so they can make arrangements to provide vegetarian meals for the entire trip or meals that accommodate that specific allergy.

The Group Leader is responsible for:

__ Setting expectation for good behavior __ Before departure and while abroad, the Group Leader will need to set clear expectations for behavior on tour, including curfew, rules about alcohol consumption, etc. The Group Leader will take disciplinary action should there be any infractions of these rules or those outlined in EF’s Rules of the Road, while travelers agreed to when enrolling. All school rules apply on tour! Students will have signed a behavior contract prior to leaving on the trip and are expected to abide by those rules. Link here!

__ Communication __ It is the Group Leaders responsibility to communicate with the our EF Consultant upon preparing for the trip. They will be the one to set up your itinerary and address any changes that need to be made. The consultant will be there to work with you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have as you prepare for your journey.

Our Malden contacts at EF are:

Josh Klein, Program Development Director (for domestic travel) Office: 617-619-1309 Mobile: 203-394-8250 Skype: stubert01

Diana Ryan, Global Education Consultant (for travel abroad) Direct Line: 617-619-1471 Office: 800-637-8222 x1471 Fax: 800-318-3732 Skype: Diana.Ryan.ef

__Scholarship__ __ Fund __ __Development__ Each group leader earns Reward Points through EF upon completion of their travel tour, which can be used toward their own personal travel with EF or toward gifts offered by EF. One of the goals of the Tornado Traveler Club is to develop a scholarship fund to assist students in the future who would like to travel, but find it financially difficult. One way we've chosen to do this is through extra chaperone funds. All trips are priced with a 6 to 1, student to chaperone ratio, but the plan is that each group travels with a 10 to 1, student to chaperone ratio. All the extra money gleamed from taking fewer chaperones will be put into the TTC Scholarship Fund at the high school. EF will mail the group leader a check for the extra chaperone money, which you can then give to Ms. Sullivan in the main office to be added to the TTC Scholarship Fund.