europe 2006 - kirkman.us

EUROPE 2006
Final Trip Meeting
September 2006
Register with the US State Department
As an important part of a
rewarding travel experience it is
prudent
to
plan
for
the
unexpected
and
unanticipated.
Towards
this
end,
it
is
recommended that you register
your trip with the U.S. Department
of State.
Travel registration is a free
service provided by the U.S.
Government to U. S. citi zen s who
are
traveling
to
a
foreign
country. Registration allows you
to record information about your
upcoming trip abroad, which the
Department of State can use to
assist you in case of an emergency.
Registration costs nothing, but it
should be a big part of your travel
planning and security.
Registration is easy at:
https://travelregistration.state.gov
You can complete the form with
the information included in this
newsletter with hotels, phone
numbers and travel dates. It is a
simple process that will provide
great peace-of-mind during the trip.
Registering your trip, helps the
embassy or consulate locate you
when you need them the most.
Departure Day
On departure day (0 5 O cto ber
2 00 6 ) we will meet at 10 : 45 a m
in the parking area of the Gr iffith
Park Te n ni s C ourt s at 3 40 1
Riv ers id e Driv e .
This center is located one block
south of Los Feliz Boulevard, just
north of the 5 freeway.
Please be prompt!
you will bid Adiós, Au Revoir and
Arrivederci to your family and we
will depart as a group via airport
vans to LAX.
Please bring $ 1 3 and $ 7 5 in cash
on departure day to cover your
transportation to the airport and
your tips while on tour.
.
Due to increased security and
airline regulations, we must be at
LAX 3 hours before departure; this
is group travel rule.
Be sur e t hat y ou hav e y our
pass port wit h y ou when you
leav e.
Please be sure to check your email
regularly in advance of our
departure in case we need to
communicate with you. Also, you
may check the weather forecast at
www.accuweather.com where you
will find a 15 day forecast for
world cities.
FRANCE – Paris & Versailles
EUROPE 2006
09 October – 11 October
Our hotel in Paris
Paris to Rome by Train
In Paris we will be staying at the
Hotel Citea La Villette
We will travel from Paris to Rome
via train. The total travel time is
about 13 hours.
This modern 3* hotel with 72
rooms is located in the 19th
arrondissement.
You will be in private sleeping
cabins with between 4 and 6
students from our group.
Please
bring
comfortable
clothing for the ride in which you
can sleep and leave your cabin to
go to the washrooms.
Hotel Citea la Villette
FLIGHT
INFORMATION
28 bis, avenue Corentin Cariou
75019 Paris
 011 33 14472420
09 Oct ob er 2 006
M ADR ID  P AR IS
Air Fr an ce
100 1
Dep art 1 0:2 5
Arri ve 12: 30
You and The French
Versailles- The Palace!
Contrary to what many Americans
think, the French are not rude nor
do they hate Americans.
Volu me :
The
French
have
mastered the art of speaking
quietly in public. Speaking in public
at what would be even a moderate
voice in the U.S. is considered rude
in France.. So, moderate your
voice!
Bon Jour & Me rci: You will get
far using this standard greeting.
Say “B on J ou r” to anyone before
you ask for something. Don’t
forget to say “mer ci ” as you
depart– even if you did not buy
anything; the same goes for
restaurants or whenever anyone
has done anything for you.
Merci
!
. One of the highlights of our trip
to Paris will be our excursion to
the Palace of Versailles – the last
residence of the French Kings and
Marie
Antoinette
before
the
French Revolution.
In 1685, 36 000 people and 6 000
horses were working on the
construction of the palace which
took altogether 50 years to
complete
You will have private tours of the
public rooms, the gardens and the
private quarters of the King and
Queen.
.
Europe 2006
SPAIN – Madrid & Toledo
06 October – 09 October
Our hotel in Madrid
Toledo – a unique city
The Abba Madrid Hotel is located
in central Madrid.
We will travel to Toledo for an
afternoon
of
sightseeing
and
shopping.
Toledo is one of the most important
centers
of
European
medieval
history. It was capital of Spain from
the Gothic epoch until 1560.
This is a typical room –
Your rooms will be larger and have 3 beds
Abba Madrid Hotel
Avenida. de America, 32
28008 Madrid
FLIGHT
INFORMATION
 011 34 91 212 50 00
05 Oct ob er 2 006
LAX  L O ND O N
Briti sh Air wa y s
278
Dep art 1 5:3 5
Arri ve 09: 45
~
When in Spain….
No country in Europe has such a
dynamic personality, such a strong
flavor nor such a proud history as
Spain. It shows in everything!
Hours: The Spanish keep late
hours. Madrid is prone to traffic
jams at midnight; few cities in the
world are as nocturnal as Madrid.
Dinner is seldom before 9 p.m. and
an 11 p.m. to midnight dinner is
common on a weekend.
Table Manners: Americans who
eat only with their right hand,
keeping their left hand in their lap
should remember that in Europe
one is expected to keep a knife and
fork in hand and all times. It is bad
manners to not have both hands
visible at all times during the meal.
Flirtation: Girls! Spanish men like
to be flirtatious. So, don’t take
offense, as it is completely
innocent and harmless. Just smile
and accept the compliment!
Lines: The Spanish hate lines but
they instinctively keep good order
taking their turn at the right time.
“line Jumpers” are viewed with
great contempt.
Smoking: Europe has enacted laws
against public smoking, but there is
still more smoking than in the US.
Be prepared to deal with it and if
you cannot, move to get away from
it as the Europeans are not always
good at enforcing and complying
with these laws.
Dress: Spain is more casual than
France, though fashion and dress
are important. The Spanish dress
when they go out!
Tour s: Show respect when in
cathedrals
and
palaces;
the
Spanish take these locations
seriously. Also, some Spanish tour
guides can go on a bit longer than
we may like, so just be patient.
¡ GRACIAS !
06 Oct ob er 2 006
LO N D O N  MA DR ID
Briti sh Air wa y s
464
Dep art 1 3:0 5
Arri ve 16: 30
ITALY – Roma & Vatican City
Europe 2006
12 October – 14 October
Our Hotel in Rome
We will arrive into Rome’s Termini
Station in the early morning after
a 13-hour, overnight train ride
from Paris.
We have been very lucky and been
reserved in hotel just steps from
the train station so we can quickly
begin our tour of the eternal city.
Did you know that there is more
art in Italy than in all parts of the
world put together? In fact, some
estimates range as high as 50% of
the world’s art can be found in
this captivating land and almost
25% of that total is within the
walls of the Vatican.
All roads lead to Rome!
This is a typical room –
Your rooms will be larger and have 3 beds
Hotel Noto
Via Calatafimi 12
Rome, Italy
 011 34 91 73 33 40
The Vati can
Our guided tour of the Vatican,
the seat of the Catholic Church
and the world’s smallest country,
will include the incredible Vatican
Museums, the Sistine Chapel and
St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican is one of the world’s
top tourist destinations and there
are no tour reservations rather
entry is on a first come—first
served basis so we will go early!
Photography is permitted in many
areas; however, no photos may be
taken in the Sistine Chapel
Proper dress and behavior is
required. You must speak quietly. In
the Sistine Chapel a rule of
SILE N C E is enforced.
The Vatican has it’s own Euro and
stamps. These great collectors’
items and you will have plenty of
time to choose the perfect
examples.
While at the Vatican you can
make purchases that you may have
blessed by the Pope – for some
these are the most treasured
gifts from their visit to the
Vatican.
Gratiam !
m
ITALY – Sorrento, Capri & Pompeii
Europe 2006
14 October - 15 October
Our hotel in Sorrento
Capri - The Blue Grotto
The A lba tro s ho te l is in an
innovative architectural hotel
with a refined and essential style,
located 3 km from the historic
centre of Sorrento.
One our way from Rome to Pompeii
we will spend the afternoon in
Capri – one of the world’s most
picturesque islands.
Weather permitting we will visit
the Blue Grotto. You have to get
into little rowing boats, that take
a maximum of two or three
persons, and lying on the bottom
of them, you are taken through the
natural narrow opening.
This is a typical room –
Triples will be larger and have 3 beds
Hotel Albatros
Via Madonna di Rosella 54
Piano di Sorrento, Italy
 011 39 81 8787417
It is more incredible than you can imagine!
Pompeii
On August 24 in the year AD 79, when
the volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, erupted,
the ashes mixed with rain and covered
the city. Most of the 20,000 citizens
escaped with their lives. However,
about 2,000 lingered too long in
gathering their valuables and died on
the spot. The city was left in ruins and
forgotten for over 1500 years.
On our tour we will walk the streets,
enter the homes and discover Pompeii
virtually as it was almost 2,000 years
ago.
You will do a lot of walking in Pompeii
and on rather uneven pathways, so
wear comfortable shoes. Also, it is
ALL outside, so be prepared should it
rain.
Sorrento, Italy
Grazie !
ITALY – Rome
Europe 2006
15 Octobe r - 16 Octob er
Our Last Night in Europe
After an incredible journey to
southern Italy and visits to
Naples,
Capri,
Sorrento
and
Pompeii, we return to Rome for our
final night in Europe.
we will be staying at the Pis a n a
Pal a ce H o tel just outside of
central Rome.
This is a typical room –
Your rooms will be larger and have 3 beds
Hotel Pisana Palace
Via della Pisana 374
Rome. Italy
 011 34 91 73 33 40
When in R ome...Do as th e R omans!
It is hard to imagine what will
enchant you the most during your
time in Rome, but here are a few
pointers to help you enjoy la dolce
vita!
Food: You may be surprised to
learn that pasta in Italy is a first
course (Primi Piatti) followed by a
meat, fish or chicken dish (Secondi
Piatti). So, don’t worry at dinner
that the small portion of pasta
you get first is all you will have
for dinner – there will be more to
come. Be sure to use lunch time to
in italy to go experiment with
Italian cuisine. We will have an
unforgettable pizza lunch in
Pompeii!
Mangia! Mangia! Mangia
Scooters: Pay attention crossing
The streets in Rome as there are
scooters everywhere. n Rome,
cars are only for families, the old,
the reclusive, the chauffer-driven,
the not cool or those who can't
afford to live in Central Rome.
Attenzione! Attenzione! Attenzione!
FASHION: The Italians define
fashion and show it off with pride.
Only tourists are dressed less
than fashionably. What you see
here will eventually make it to the
Pacific coast So, plan your
wardrobe to fit in with the stylish
Romans. Faccia Bella, Cara Mia
Coffee: Italians are the artists of
caffé. Beware a “Latte” in Italy is
just warm, steamed milk. To get
what you would expect in the
States you need to order a “Caffé
Latte”. Imagine - an absolutely
perfect espresso for 80 cents?
Un caffé latte, per favore Signor!
Grazie !
Rome – London – Los Angeles
Europe 2006
16 October
California here we come
Please plan to receive us at the
airport on 28 February 2006 on
the lower level of the tom
Bradley International Terminal at
LAX.
We should be cleared through
immigration and customs about 45
minutes after our arrival into Los
Angeles.
On arrival day, be sure to check
ww w. b a. c o m under Flight status
to confirm our actual arrival time.
You may also call B r i t is h Air w a y s
on 1 -8 00 - AI RW AY S. Alternatively,
You may also track our return flight
and arrival time by the site listed in
the article above.
Be prepared, you may have never seen
your child so happy to see you and
with so much to tell you! It will make
the investment in the trip well worth
it!
What can I take on board?
we are transiting London’s Heathrow airport
and must comply with the UK’s new restrictions.
They are strict about these procedures so
please follow this information thoroughly.
Customers traveling to and from the UK will be
able to take on board one cabin bag no bigger
than 18 x 14 x 7 -- the size of a small laptop bag,
inclusive of wheels and handles.
Cab i n b ag g ag e m a y N O T c ont ai n:
 Any cosmetics
 Any toiletries
 Any liquids
 Any drinks
 Cigarette lighters cannot be carried through the airport security
search. Cigarette lighters are not to be checked into the hold either.
 Sharp objects such as succors and nail files,
Cab i n b ag g ag e CAN c o nta in th e fo ll ow i n g:
 Electronic equipment, including laptops, mobile phones, digital
cameras and portable music and DVD players
 Essential medicines in liquid form provided they are under 50ml.
Customers will be asked to taste the liquid. If they cannot taste the
liquid for any reason they will be asked to go to an airport pharmacy to
have the medicine verified.
 Other items normally carried in cabin baggage, such as books and
essential items for the flight,
Nothin g ma y be carri ed in pock ets .
For tra ve l ers t o or fr o m t h e U SA e xtr a r e strict io n s are i n p l ac e.




Secondary security searches at the gate.
No toiletries or cosmetics purchased in the departure lounge will be
allowed into the aircraft cabin.
Drinks or liquid items must be consumed before boarding.
Food, however, is allowed.
All electronic equipment will be removed from the hand baggage and screened separately.
Please pack these items carefully for easy removal at the security search point.
Track our Flights
Go to www.flightview.com. Select the airline from the drop down menu and
enter the flight number. You will then see the current details of the
flight including a map with our real-time location, our air speed, altitude,
arrival and departure times. Works best with flights to and from the US.
FLIGHT
INFORMATION
16 Oct ob er 2 006
RO M E  L O ND O N
Briti sh Air wa y s
551
Dep art 0 8:1 5
Arri ve 12: 00
16 Oct ob er 2 006
LO N D O N  L AX
Briti sh Air wa y s
269
Dep art 1 6:0 5
Arri ve 19: 05 )
(To m Bradley
Internation al Ter min al)
Explorica online Tour Diary
www.myexplorica.com/Kirkman-6204
Do you want to see what we are
doing each day, where we’ve gone,
what we’ve seen almost as if you
were there? .
In the navigation bar on the left
under TOUR CENTER, choose
TOUR DIARY and you will have
access to our unique Tour Diary.
Each day our tour director will
post various pictures from our
adventures as well as a brief
travelogue of our activities.
Remember, we are 9 hours ahead of
Los Angeles.
To access our trip’s exclusive tour
diary just navigate to:
Copies & photos and $
Can you hear me?
Calling home is important, but with
the time difference, all the
different hotels and languages it
can be a frustrating.
Please do not forget to bring with
you on departure day the following:
our suggestion is that you follow
the calling schedule that shows
when your traveler will call you.
This is much easier than calling the
hotels as our schedule is highly
variable

2 copies of the inside
informational pages of your
passport.

2 passport photographs

$15 for the bus to LAX

$75 for tips on tour
LA MÉTÉO El TIEMPO THE WEATHER IL TEMPO
Here are the historical temperature averages for the cities we will visit.
Be prep ared for it t o b e war mer or col der tha n th ese a verage s
What time is it?
M A DR ID
PA R IS
RO ME
France, Spain and Italy
are 9 hours ahead of the
United States.
Average High is 72 F
Aver age Lo w i s 5 3 F
Average High is 65 F
Aver age Lo w i s 5 0 F
Average High is 73 F
Aver age Lo w i s 5 5 F
Dress for Success!
The only exception to
this is when we are in
London changing planes
and we are only 8 hours
ahead of Los Angles.
There is a dress code for this trip. For safety and security reasons we do
NOT wish to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. We should strive to
look neat and respectable at all times.
No tennis /athletic shoes
No Hooded sweatshirts
No clothes with team logos, sayings,
No baseball caps
No torn, overly long or baggy jeans
No Flip-Flops.
overt branding or markings
T$ps on T$pp$ng
Tipping is an important part of our
trip as there will be many people
assisting us whom we will need to
tip.
The most important person on our
trip is our tour director Cécile
Ildis. Cécile will meet us at the
airport in Madrid and will be with
us 24 hours a day for the entire
journey. The bulk of her salary is
based on her tip from us.
We also have tour guides and bus
drivers to tips as they count on
T
.
tips for their salaries as well.
With this in mind you are asked to
bring $75 with you on departure day
to cover tips on the trip.
Mr. Kirkman will distribute the tips to
the bus drivers and tour guides and
you as a group will present the trip
to our Tour Director, Cécile, a t the
final dinner.
In addition, you should plan to leave
1 Euro per person on the table at
dinner each evening.