EUROPE 2011

What to Wear on the Plane

2011-04-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you don't have to dress like the woman above. However, while comfort is key, don't look like you just rolled out of the bunk bed at summer camp. Have socks on hand for a possibly chilly plane cabin and a warm top/sweater/sweatshirt is probably a good idea too.

Night Train from Paris to Rome

2011-04-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

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.

What I'm Adding to my Packing List

2011-04-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

In addition to the other items we suggested on our packing list, here are some of the other "necessities" that I found helpful last year.

Dramamine (or other motion-sickness medicine). You might be thinking you don't need it. I didn't think I needed it either until the last hour and a half before landing in London when I had a headache and felt nauseous. Ninety minutes never felt so long.
Gas-X. Again, I didn't think I'd need it either. But then you realize that on a 9-hour flight, you don't have many options. Either you startle the whole plane and awaken everyone's senses, or you take preventative measures like Gas-X.
Wet wipes and small hand sanitizer. Europeans have germs too.
Reading material. The night train is a long trip. You will want something to pass the time. I'm bringing Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities (about London and Paris) to also add a bit of history and nostalgia to my traveling experience.
Roll of toilet paper (or pack of tissues). Yes, you read that right. The night train from Paris to Rome is about 15 hours. I wouldn't say that the Italian train workers in our class of cabin are particularly attentive to travelers' needs. In other words, if our car runs out of toilet paper, it may or may not be replaced promptly. Having your own roll will save you some worry and from that "Oh no..." moment as you finish your business and reach for the TP, only to realize there's one square left. Here is a discussion forum on the night train from TripAdvisor.
Rain jacket. It will rain. Do you want to be wet or dry? Don't let a soggy sweatshirt ruin your European experience. Bring something that will repel water.
Ear plugs. Once we hit London at 7:00-ish Saturday morning we will be starting our day. Sleep on the plane is essential.
Empty water bottle. This is what I brought with me last year. Filled it up each morning at the hotel and saved myself a handful of Euro each day.
Energy bars. Brought one box of yogurt, honey, peanut Balance Bars and one box of Odwalla Chocolate Bars last year. Yes, you can buy a 3-Euro snack here ($4.33), and a 4-Euro snack there ($5.77), and a 2-Euro snack there ($2.89), then you end up not having enough money for that Eiffel Tower snow globe that you promised your sister.
A watch or other time-keeper (maybe not a phone!). You will need to meet in certain places at certain times. Have a watch with you. A phone may not be the best idea as smartphone thefts have risen sharply in Europe. See the entry below about smartphone thefts in Paris (especially iPhones).

These are the things I'm definitely taking with me and some things you may want to consider. If you have other suggestions, feel free to leave a comment with your idea.
-Mr. Fong

Using your phones in Europe

2011-04-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

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

On Departure Day...

2011-04-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Just so there’s no confusion, here’s the process when you arrive at the American Airlines area:

Check in right away at the ticketing counter with your passport; that’s when you will be checking any luggage in as well. This area is open to the public. Here’s the link to American Airlines’ baggage information regarding size and restrictions: http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp
Find Mr. Hemaidan and myself and we will check you off of our list so that we know you’re present. We’ll wait together until everyone has arrived and checked in.
All travelers will then be going through security together and off to the departure gate.

Behavior on Tour

2011-04-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

·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.

Packing List from EF Tours

2011-04-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the packing list that EF Tours recommends.

Pack Light!

2011-04-05T12:12:00.001-07:00

Good article from Rick Steves about packing light.

Rome: The Interactive Sistine Chapel

2011-03-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Vatican has a spectacular website set up for the Sistine Chapel. Visit the site, give the picture a minute to load up and explore. It's incredible--and a place that we'll be seeing in person in just a few short weeks!

Train Travel in Europe

2011-03-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

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.

New Paris Video by EF

2011-03-17T14:27:00.001-07:00

The New French Chocolate

2011-03-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

A recent article in the New York Times discusses some of the newest and best chocolate houses in Paris. Read the article here.

William & Kate

2011-03-10T08:58:00.000-08:00

Looks like good fun!

GREAT Advice

2011-03-04T15:21:00.001-08:00

You HAVE to watch this video. GREAT advice!

EF Tours Rome Video

2011-03-01T21:16:00.000-08:00

Final stop on our tour will be Rome, Italy. We'll be taking a night train from Paris down into Italy and once in Rome we'll tour around what's been nicknamed The Eternal City.

National Geographic's City Guides: Rome

2011-02-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

National Geographic has a fantastic website with guides to all of the great cities of the world, which includes the cities we are visiting. Check out the Rome guide here.

Carnaby in London

2011-02-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

One of the areas we're sure to visit (and indeed went to last year) is Carnaby Street in London. It's an eclectic mix of shops and pubs that will make for a fun stroll. Here is the Carnaby Street website--check it out!

A $100 Weekend in Paris

2011-02-21T09:41:00.000-08:00

Is it possible? The Frugal Traveler, a writer for the New York Times, says yes and shares his experiences in this article.

Cultural Inventory: France and Italy

2011-02-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

The Vatican and St. Peter's Square

Get a little French and Italian culture before our trip. Rick Steves relays some gleanings from a meeting he recently had.

London: The Royal Wedding

2011-02-14T15:16:00.000-08:00

There's an article today in The Guardian about the wedding party for the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. William has chosen his little brother Harry as his best man. Of course, we'll be in London about eleven days before the April 29th nuptials so the souvenirs will probably be available in full force. Get your British pounds ready!

Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 16th at 5:30pm Room 625

2011-02-09T14:23:00.000-08:00

We sent out an email several days ago informing everyone about our next meeting which will be Wednesday, February 16 at 5:30pm. We're excited to get together for our second of three meetings. We hope that you've either secured your passport already or will be receiving it soon.

One of the things we'll discuss Wednesday will be departure and arrival times. We've gotten some preliminary information from EF Tours and we're eager to share that with you at the meeting. We would like all travelers to be present. Non-travelers are not obligated to attend. Please let us know if you will not be able to make it.

EF Tours Paris Video

2011-02-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Second stop on our tour will be to Paris, France. After a couple of days in London, we'll take the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel and into France's crown jewel. Above is the video of the city by EF Tours.

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

2011-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

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!

London Snow

2011-02-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

You may remember the snow that blanketed Europe this past December wreaking havoc on travelers for several days. This shot above is from December 20, 2010 on Oxford Street in London as people were wrapping up their holiday shopping.

EF Tours: Packing Light

2011-02-01T22:01:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago we posted an entry with REI's tips for traveling light. EF Tours just posted a blog entry about packing light on their tours. The writer writes about his trip with students just last week to...London, Paris, and Rome, the same as our trip! Find out how heavy one girl's bag was at the blog entry here.