Travel with Smithsonian Student Travel

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Fieldtrips Chatboard

Travel with Smithsonian Student Travel

by Trace

May 15, 2010

Has anyone traveled recently with Smithsonian Student Travel? We are scheduled to travel to Boston next spring and I would like to know about any experiences you may have had, not just the bad ones either.

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Brian Hi Verity--

Thank you for your insights, suggestions, and observations. It gives me plenty to think about going into this "Orientation", and what ground I need to cover going into the rest of the summer months. I will post updates on here periodically.

Trace...I hope these insights will help you as well.

Any other insight...See MoreHi Verity--

Thank you for your insights, suggestions, and observations. It gives me plenty to think about going into this "Orientation", and what ground I need to cover going into the rest of the summer months. I will post updates on here periodically.

Trace...I hope these insights will help you as well.

Any other insights are still welcome; what I have is a big help!

Thanks again...Brian

On 6/19/10, verity wrote: > Hi Brian! > > While I don't travel with Smithsonian, I have been > traveling with groups for a few years and I do have a > few suggestions and observations for you: > > 1. I agree that the flights with them are problematic. > Typically, you will not know about the flight > arrangements until after everyone has paid - around 60 > days before the trip, when there are less flights and > they become more expensive. Because it is their policy > not book the flights until then, it is entirely > possible that you might be asked to pay more, right > before travel - so be prepared for that. They are not > flexible about through and direct flights - you get > what they give you. Also, don't forget about the > baggage fees as Smithsonian also doesn't include them > in their price - another $50 or so - and make sure none > of your students has luggage that is overweight. > > 2. The Smithsonian guides need to be tipped and tipped > properly. Because of their tipping policy, Smithsonian > does not pay their guides the same amount as other > companies that include all the tips in their overall > price. The Smithsonian guides are virtually dependent > upon their tips. Most other companies include the tips > in their overall price. You should be aware that the > tipping should be on a, 'per person per day', basis. > $5. for the guide/escort (if he or she is with you all > the time), $1 per person for city guides or battlefield > guides, $3-$5 for the driver. And if you visit any > churches (like Old North Church), there should be a > small donation, about $1 per person. > > You might want to consider having a fundraiser that is > earmarked for the gratuities and pay with one amount > (rather than all the students handing out money) at the > end of the service. However, it is good for the > students to know about tipping and how people. such as > waiters, rely on them. > > 3. I'm lucky because we've had the same tour guide for > a few years, so we're always on the same page. You > might want to ask them who will be guiding your trip > and contact him/her beforehand. Find out if you have a > traveling escort and then city guides, or have a > licensed guide the whole time? You can't do much with > the city guides as they usually have a scripted tour > and sometimes the escorts don't know the areas well. > You could always request a knowledgeable guide that has > both a New York City and Washington, DC license to stay > with you the whole time (ours does, so I know they > exist). Remember this is YOUR trip and YOUR money, and > they should honor your requests. > > 4. Develop a teaching plan for the trip. You could also > have the students become email pals. > > 5. We're a Title I school. Our school has a, 'travel > club' for the students. It meets once a month and we > discuss one day of the itinerary at each meeting as > well as develop rules of behavior etc. The students do > some fun research and come up with some fabulous trivia > and facts while generating a journal. Last year, a > couple of the students came up with a pre trip and post > trip Power Point for extra credit in English and social > studies. > > 6. The English teacher always incorporates literature > into the trip, so you might want to check if anything > can be incorporated into their trip: House of the Seven > Gables, Scarlet Letter, Johnny Tremain, Little Women, > The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Moby Dick, or Walden, > and that's just Boston! > > 7. Smithsonian doesn't usually suggest that you get (or > how to get) appointments for various tours and visits > like the US Capitol or the White House (get in touch > with both your Senators and Representatives' offices in > DC by phone and through their respective websites. In > any case ask the Senators and Representatives for > passes to the Galleries - those can be sent directly to > your school before the trip. Unless you want to waste > time in long lines, appointments need to be done by > September or October for next summer. You need to > continually stay on top of it. Tell Smithsonian that > you must have your itinerary upfront, or you will make > your appointments and have them work the itinerary > around your appointments. There is a website for the > Capitol to book group tours and you can book your group > yourself. Also Ford's Theatre and the Holocaust > Museum's main exhibit - those timed tickets have a > small fee attached to them. The Holocaust can be booked > on school letterhead, which is free, but it's > competitive and you can't always get the time you want, > again, check their website. he National Archives also > has a reservation system, which is really useful since > the lines can be over two hours long because of > security. The National Cathedral, that's $150, and you > also need to book through their website. Smithsonian > Tours normally will not do that for their groups, > contending that it is absolutely your responsibility. > > Good luck! > > > On 6/18/10, Brian wrote: >> Hi Trace, >> >> I will be leading a group of students next summer >> with Smithsonian Student Travel as well (Eastern >> Seaboard). I will be going to Boston next month for >> their leader orientation, and have already >> experienced some minor end arounds with my own travel >> itinerary (i.e., Not wanting to consult with you with >> return flight options even if you are willing to pay >> the difference for a direct flight)...let alone my >> group next year. I travel quite a bit on my own for >> pleasure/business, and am quite familiar with the >> layout of DC. My colleague that is accompanying me is >> very familiar with Boston and New York. My hope is >> the two of us can develop a rapport with the >> Smithsonian guide so happy mediums can be forged if >> differences of opinion are there. >> >> I am also concerned about potential hidden fees >> (i.e., Tipping bus drivers or tour guides)since many >> of my students come from families that often live >> from paycheck to paycheck. Any insights from other >> posters would be much appreciated. Although I am >> travel savy, many of my students are not. I am >> willing to foot some of the difference for the best >> interest of my kids, but do not want to be in a >> position where my pocketbook is going to take a major >> hit. >> >> One piece I do agree with observer is related to >> perception and expectations. I usually see this quite >> frequently on the trip adviser website. I hope my >> trip to Boston next summer will adequately prepare me >> for what is to come next year. >> >> On 6/09/10, Shane wrote: >>> Hi Trace, >>> >>> Avoid these people at all cost. I always find it >>> interesting when people enter a complaint site to >>> tell someone not to pay attention to the >>> complaints. I always think they either need a >>> little adversity in their life they apparently >>> don't have enough, or else they work for the agency >>> being complained about. Smithsonian will charge you >>> hidden charges, they will be dishonest with you and >>> they will give you a lackluster tour that is over >>> priced. Been there done that with Smithsonian. >>> There are good tour companies out there, but this >>> is not one of them. >>> >>> >>> On 5/21/10, observer wrote: >>>> Hi Trace, >>>> >>>> I really would not be concerned about it. The >>>> student travel industry is so complicated trying >>>> to understand it all is not worth your time. If >>>> you research any company online you will >>>> typically find only negative responses. However, >>>> in comparison to the people who are having great >>>> tours the percentage is miniscule. You can have a >>>> really good tour, like the majority of people, >>>> and never post anything about it. The people who >>>> are really pissed off tend to write on boards >>>> like these. Although there are definitely some >>>> legitimate complaints most of the time it is >>>> parents/teachers who have no clue about travel. >>>> In the end, understand the general guidelines of >>>> the company and have a great time! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 5/18/10, Trace wrote: >>>>> Can you give me examples of what is not >>>>> included? Has anyone had a good experience with >>>>> EF/Smithsonian Student Travel? I am really >>>>> concerned from all the negative I hear ...This >>>>> did seem like the right choice. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 5/18/10, Molly wrote: >>>>>> Trace, >>>>>> >>>>>> Be weary of these guys as they are really EF >>>>>> who has rebranded themselves under the >>>>>> Smithsonian name. They typically tell you >>>>>> it's going to be this amazing trip for this >>>>>> low price but once you get on the trip you >>>>>> find out almost nothing is included! I would >>>>>> check out other companies if your letters >>>>>> have not been sent out yet! >>>>>> >>>>>> On 5/15/10, Trace wrote: >>>>>>> Has anyone traveled recently with >>>>>>> Smithsonian Student Travel? We are >>>>>>> scheduled to travel to Boston next spring >>>>>>> and I would like to know about any >>>>>>> experiences you may have had, not just the >>>>>>> bad ones either.

Jun 19, 2010

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Gabriele Hi Verity,

you just compalined becasue I posted a message dedicated to Ef talking about my comapny and I find you here adverising EF on a post dedicated to Smithsonian Student Travel... It is really contracdictory... You should tell everybody that you are part of EF and you are trying to advertise and catch more clients from these posts......See More

Jul 8, 2010

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Verity Dear Gabriele,

I absolutely, positively, assure you that I am not with any tour operator! I am simply a teacher who travels with my class.

And it is NOT contradictory: EF and Smithsonian Student Travel are owned by the same people. The EF has bought the iconic Smithsonian name for their US division to increase sales through what...See More

Jul 9, 2010

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Jen B. Trace,

I used to travel to DC and other destinations with EF/SmithsonianStudentTravel and I have found better experiences with another company. Just like many people mention they promise a price that doesn't include much. I was told a price that was to be an all inclusive price for my kids, however, once I receive the itinerary the only me...See More

Aug 5, 2010

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Susan Trace, I have have traveled many times with Smithsonian/Go Ahead/EF Tours from Washington DC to New York, and Ireland/Scotland with adults and students. I agree with "obsserver" that it is the sourpuss that does the most complaining. After multiple trips and another one scheduled for March, the only problem I have ever had was with parents who want...See MoreTrace, I have have traveled many times with Smithsonian/Go Ahead/EF Tours from Washington DC to New York, and Ireland/Scotland with adults and students. I agree with "obsserver" that it is the sourpuss that does the most complaining. After multiple trips and another one scheduled for March, the only problem I have ever had was with parents who want a high end tour for low end prices and don't have the math skills to figure out why it would cost more to have 2 people in the room than it does for 4 people! Travel in confidence and ask for Emily!

GET the Insurance, I had a student break his ankle 4 days before we left one year and the MOM had a FIT!!! because they wouldn't refund her money. She made the choice not to buy the insurance even though I encouraged it. She would have gotten a full refund. Then she wanted me to push him in a wheelchair and threatened to file a handicapped discrimination suit against me! He wasn't handicapped, he was injured and the Dr. wouldn't release him to travel.

On 5/21/10, observer wrote: > Hi Trace, > > I really would not be concerned about it. The student travel > industry is so complicated trying to understand it all is not worth > your time. If you research any company online you will typically > find only negative responses. However, in comparison to the people > who are having great tours the percentage is miniscule. You can > have a really good tour, like the majority of people, and never > post anything about it. The people who are really pissed off tend > to write on boards like these. Although there are definitely some > legitimate complaints most of the time it is parents/teachers who > have no clue about travel. In the end, understand the general > guidelines of the company and have a great time! > > > > On 5/18/10, Trace wrote: >> Can you give me examples of what is not included? Has anyone had >> a good experience with EF/Smithsonian Student Travel? I am >> really concerned from all the negative I hear ...This did seem >> like the right choice. >> >> >> >> On 5/18/10, Molly wrote: >>> Trace, >>> >>> Be weary of these guys as they are really EF who has >>> rebranded themselves under the Smithsonian name. They >>> typically tell you it's going to be this amazing trip for >>> this low price but once you get on the trip you find out >>> almost nothing is included! I would check out other >>> companies if your letters have not been sent out yet! >>> >>> On 5/15/10, Trace wrote: >>>> Has anyone traveled recently with Smithsonian Student >>>> Travel? We are scheduled to travel to Boston next spring >>>> and I would like to know about any experiences you may have >>>> had, not just the bad ones either.

Jul 28, 2012

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