1. Spring Break 2016 PARIS & THE RIVIERA

2. TONIGHT’S AGENDA 10/22/2015 Who’s travelling Overview of the trip Passports Fundraising Tipping Spending Money + Best Forms of Currency Versailles Phones Rooming Packing Future meeting agenda items Questions

3. GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER Since we will spend 9 of the most magical days of your life together, let’s meet now. Other social gatherings?

4. OUR TRIP: Pace will be quick – expect to walk approx. 10 miles a day! Please get in shape before we get there. Basic Itinerary: ½ Paris - ½ The French Riviera Our tour website has more details. I will begin sending emails with on-line scavenger hunts to help you get to know where we will be going and what you can expect to see.

5. PASSPORTS I will need a color copy as soon as you can (just the picture and signature page) If your passport is not valid through October 2016 – you will not be allowed to board the plane. All students must be legal citizens – if not, please see me, there is important documentation you will need to reenter the U.S. Electronic access to your birth certificate (scan it into your home computer) in case of a lost passport – this would save hours.

6. FUNDRAISING * We will not fundraise as a group – too difficult to manage fairly * Personal fundraising is allowed. Here are some ideas: * Replace Christmas/birthday gifts with “the gift of spending money” or “tour tip money” * Write a sponsorship letter. Student writes a letter explaining how much this trip means, what they hope to get out of the trip and asks for a donation. Letter can be sent to relatives, given out at church, etc. * Holiday season helpers – wrap presents, unpack/pack lights, decorations, etc.

7. TIPPING Each traveler is required to tip the people that ‘guide’ us each day. This is the formula we are expected to use: $6 /day, pp for Tour director $3 /day for bus driver $2 / day for local guides Our total pp is a minimum $75 (+$10 if going to Versailles) – I will collect this in late March before we leave. Please budget for this.

8. SPENDING MONEY We need to budget for paying for our own lunch every day. I would expect to pay from $10 -$20 on lunch. So lunch = $80-$160. We also pay for our own snacks, drinks (besides water at dinner), and of course any souvenirs/shopping. $150 = bare minimum$300 =

9. BEST FORM OF CURRENCY Best plan = atm debit card – double check with your bank that your card will work and ask to put a note on your bank file that it will be used in France during that week. Cash works (20s,50s,100s)- we will exchange it when we can Please no “Visa gift cards” - they never work in Europe Also no “Discover or American Express” and no Travelers’ Checks Visa or Mastercard work fine– preferably with a chip

10. VERSAILLES – AN OPTIONAL ADD-ON Extra cost: $99 If 15 people from our tour (us + 1 other school) enroll then it will happen. Those choosing not to go, will continue to tour Paris with me.

11. PHONES + CONTACTING HOME Speak with your carrier – my phone (Alltel) can’t make calls/send texts Most will continue to have Wifi – most hotels will have Wifi Some allow international plans- check data usage charges + other fees Please do not demand/expect a call/text everyday. We will have an emergency call chain in place

12. PACKING Wants v. Needs We will discuss more later – our Tour Website has good lists Need: 2 pairs of comfortable shoes – no heels Small suitcase v carry on Adapter(s) – usually available at TJMAX, Target, Walmart

13. FUTURE MEETING AGENDA ITEMS - Packing lists/ suggestions - Emergency forms - Proof of insurance coverage - Rooming- 2, 3, 4 to a room - No Alcohol contract

14. QUESTIONS???

15. OUR TRIP! https://personal.eftours.com/secure/active-tours/tour-details/itinerary.aspx https://www.dropbox.com/s/oc1z63wvz3yl8br/paris-ef-tours-hd-video.mp4