Mr. Mitch Arsenie, Group Leader # Insider’s Spain & France To enroll: 1. Go to 3. Choose Participant/Student 4. Enter Group Leader ID#: Enter Group Leader Last Name: Arsenie
Agenda Why travel? Who is ACIS? A Typical Day Learning Objectives Cultural Connections Trip itinerary What’s Included Extra Benefits Cost Automatic Payments Option Protection Plans Next Steps Questions and Answers
Why Travel? Whether visiting an outdoor market in Provence, riding horseback through a cloud forest in Costa Rica, standing atop the Great Wall in China, or ordering tapas in Madrid, ACIS students: Acquire skills and knowledge that prepare them for future success in college and careers Gain global perspective, cultural awareness, independence and responsibility Develop a spirit of discovery and love of learning that lasts a lifetime “The trip was absolutely amazing. It has convinced me to study abroad. It couldn’t have turned out better!” — Amanda Kesner, ACIS Participant, New Jersey
Premier provider of the highest quality educational tours since 1978 Division of AIFS, the leader of international education programs since 1964 Financially secure institution with more than $130 million in annual revenue Wherever you are, ACIS is there: We have offices in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Sacramento, London and Paris, with affiliate offices in Rome and Madrid and local representation at every destination ACIS travels to. Who is ACIS? ACIS Report Card 98% Rate overall satisfaction good to excellent 99% Rate educational content good to excellent 97% Rate ACIS Tour Managers good to excellent Percentages for travel in 2010
A Typical Day 7:30-8:45Start your day with breakfast in your hotel 9:00-12:00Enjoy a morning activity such as city sightseeing or a bicycle tour 12:00-1:00Lunch. Your group may choose to take a tour manager’s suggestion for the best pizza/crepes/paella in town or browse a local market and picnic in the park 1:00-3:00Participate in a Cultural Connection designed to immerse you in the local culture, or use an ACIS Walking Tour to explore a museum or sight 3:00-6:00Free time to shop for souvenirs, explore local neighborhoods or relax in a town square 6:30-7:30 Time for dinner 7:30-11:00An evening activity such as a boat ride, a show or concert, or a Culture Quest will keep you entertained – or enjoy activities as organized by your group leader
Learning Objectives 1.Learn about French and Spanish Art Nouveau styles 2.Gain understanding about Spain’s gypsy cultural heritage and the enduring tradition of Flamenco music and dance. 3.Compare the Provençal prospective and lifestyle to that of cosmopolitan Paris Each trip includes specific Learning Objectives that are highlighted during the tour and which will help you reflect on the history and cultures of the place you are visiting. During your trip you will:
Madrid Culture Quest – Scavenge for answers! Your Tour Manager will lead you on an educational scavenger hunt to explore Madrid. Flamenco Lesson & show – Learn the steps from flamenco masters, followed a flamenco show. Barcelona by Bike– Explore the neighborhoods of Barcelona on a guided bike tour. Paella Contest – Learn the methods for creating paella and compete with your fellow travelers for the best dish. Horseback Riding in the Camargue – Like a traditional gardian, explore the picturesque marshy delta region at the mouth of the Rhône River. On every tour itinerary, ACIS has included Cultural Connections—interactive experiences that enable students to engage with the places, people and cultures they are visiting! Learn more about the Cultural Connections on your tour at
Trip Itinerary Day 1 | Overnight Flight Bon Voyage! Your ACIS Tour Manager will meet you at the airport and welcome you abroad.
Trip Itinerary Day 2-3 | Madrid ¡Bienvenidos! Spain’s capital city greets you. During your visit to Madrid, you will: Take a guided city sightseeing tour of the city. Included is a guided visit to the Prado Museum, where you will discover masterpieces by Goya, El Greco, and Velasquez Enjoy free time to discover the Puerta del Sol and Retiro Park Learn the steps to traditional Flamenco dance from professionals before they take to the stage for an evening Flamenco performance
Trip Itinerary Day 4-5 | Barcelona Travel to Barcelona, the free- thinking capital of Cataluña! Watch the Spanish countryside fly by as the high speed AVE train whisks you to Barcelona Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour, including Montjuïc Hill and Guadí’s whimsical Parc Güell Barcelona by Bike will take you on a riding tour through Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, and on to Barceloneta and the Olympic Port Learn the secrets to making a delicious paella in a Spanish cooking class, and compete for the best tasting dish!
Day 6-7 | Provence Experience la vie provençal as you travel to France’s storied south Journey across the Pyrénées Mountains to medieval Carcassonne, where you will explore its ramparts and towers Enjoy a morning horseback ride through the Camargue at the Rhône River delta Visit medieval Aigues-Mortres Learn about ancient Rome’s reach into France when you visit the Pont du Gard Trip Itinerary
Day 8-9 | Paris Welcome to the City of Light! The French countryside will whiz by as the TGV train takes you north to Paris Enjoy a guided city sightseeing tour that shows you some of Paris’ most famous sites, like the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de Concorde, the Champs-Elysées and more! Experience the majesty of the Notre Dame Cathedral Discover the masterpieces of the Louvre museum with your ACIS walking tour Have free time to explore some of the many neighborhoods of Paris.
Day 10 | Fly home Au revoir! Trip Itinerary
What’s Included Round-trip flights on commercial airlines Service of an ACIS Tour Manager—a highly trained, multilingual guide, educator and travel expert who provides educational commentary and activities and manages travel logistics Daily continental breakfasts and dinners Accommodations in three- and four-star conveniently located hotels Surface transportation and airport transfers Excursions and activities as indicated in your tour itinerary, including comprehensive walking tours and Cultural Connection activities Basic Protection Plan which provides medical coverage and cancellation insurance Job Loss Protection included on every tour 24-hour global support network and on-call emergency service
TripStream Take your family and friends along with you as ‘virtual’ guests! Your tour manager will be sending updates each day of your activities ACIS’ Travel is Education Scholarship Contest awards students up to $1,000 off their tour ACIS backpack and luggage tags Destination Information— is loaded with information on what to pack, souvenir suggestions and more. Plus, an informative and fun ACIS Travel Journal to bring along on tour. ACIS eKit Global phonecards, which save you up to 70% on international phone calls, are available for purchase. ACIS Travel Prepaid Visa Cards are a secure and convenient way to access funds while on tour. Travel Essentials
Cost Program Fee$3059 Registration Fee$95 Departure Tax$504 Weekend Surcharge$40 Student Scholarship-$300 valid for registration by June 30 th only Total$3398 Additional fees: Adult Surcharge$415 (includes double room) Upgraded Protection Plan: Ultimate Protection Plan$250 Comprehensive Protection Plan$200 Estimated tipping:Tour Manager$45 Bus driver$21 Please note: Price is valid until June 30 th, 2011
Automatic Payments Option Automatic Payments makes planning your trip budget easy because your payments are spread out evenly, giving you more time to pay. Automatic Payment Advantages: FREE enrollment Avoid late fees 24/7 control over your trip budget and scheduled payments Even payment amounts over a longer period of time You can set your last payment to be processed as late as 45 days before you depart You choose a payment frequency (every 2 weeks, every 4 weeks, monthly, or quarterly) and your payments are automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. To sign up or to learn more about Automatic Payments visit My Account on and follow instructions.
Protection Plans Your ACIS Registration Fee includes Basic Protection coverage. For your peace of mind, we offer a range of enhanced protection plans from which you may choose. ACIS recommends that participants purchase the Ultimate Protection Plan designed specifically for your travel needs.
Next Steps Questions? Contact ACIS Client Services at or 1.Register for your tour by going online to or sending in the registration form. An amount of $195 ($95 Registration Fee plus a $100 program fee deposit) is due at sign-up. 2.Choose a Protection Plan. Information can be found in the Registration Booklet or at 3.Get your travel documents ready. 4.Choose a Payment Plan: Automatic Payments or Manual Payments Use MyAccount—your online hub that makes reviewing automatic payments made or keeping track of manual payment deadlines & making payments online a snap. 5.Explore for information on pre-trip preparation, what to expect on tour, fundraising suggestions, travel resources and more!
Important registration reminders Questions? Contact ACIS Client Services at or 1.Remember to choose a Protection Plan. Information can be found in the Registration Booklet or at Options arewww.acis.com/studentsparents/insurance/cfm 1.Basic insurance – included 2.Comprehensive insurance - $20/day 3.Ultimate insurance - $25/day *If you do not choose a protection plan, you will default into Ultimate Insurance. 2.Remember to choose a Payment Plan: Automatic Payments or Manual Payments Use MyAccount—your online hub that makes reviewing automatic payments made or keeping track of manual payment deadlines & making payments online a snap. *If you do not choose a payment plan, you will default into Automatic Payments 3.Complete application with full passport name – name must match your passport or birth certificate exactly – first, middle and last.
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