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/blockquote>
I am 55 years old and used to be a teacher before I took a
French degree and decided to become a tour guide,
director, manager whatever. I sympathise with all of you
out there who are having difficulties with your choice of
company for European trips. Basically you get what you
pay for. You might be offe...See More/blockquote>
I am 55 years old and used to be a teacher before I took a
French degree and decided to become a tour guide,
director, manager whatever. I sympathise with all of you
out there who are having difficulties with your choice of
company for European trips. Basically you get what you
pay for. You might be offered incentives e.g. free trips,
akin to airmiles if you book with certain companies.
Explorica is basically the same as EF because someone took
EF's ideas and set up their own company. EF and Explorica
are companies who provide basic trips with hotels which
are situated some way out of the centre of European
capitals. Their hotels and meals are 1 or 2 star. Many of
the companies pay their tour guides a basic wage which
equates to about USD 80 a day and the tour directors (call
them whatever you will) rely on their tips to make a
decent daily wage. Although you might give your tour
guide excellent ratings the companies will not give them a
bonus to supplement their wages if you write in your
reports that you will not be using them again.
Some companies tell their guides to take you to
restaurants, photographers or companies
where they will make extra money to supplement their
incomes. Papa Gio has worked this out and I would follow
his advice if I were you. I now work for a company which
I am not going to name but is mentioned on this site where
you are guaranteed a 3 or 4 star hotel with a decent
breakfast and a decent dinner. I have had the most
wonderful time over the past few weeks as a tour
director. It is hard work but for me the reactions of
your students from the US and Canada have made it
worthwhile.
by Francoise Boden
Apr 19, 2008
/blockquote>
I am reading what everyone is saying about airline
surcharges,and I used to be in that business. I am a French
teacher now.
1. The student companies do not purchase the airline tickets
until they have received the final balance for your trip,
typically 90 days before departure. Although the airlines
have b...See More/blockquote>
I am reading what everyone is saying about airline
surcharges,and I used to be in that business. I am a French
teacher now.
1. The student companies do not purchase the airline tickets
until they have received the final balance for your trip,
typically 90 days before departure. Although the airlines
have blocked the seat for them and have required a deposit
for each seat, the airline cannot and will not guarantee the
final ticket price until the ticket is actually purchased. A
ticket to France from SFO could be a certain price 6 months
ago, but because of fluctuating gas prices could be higher
or lower at the time of purchase. The smart travel company
should predict that and charge more than what the actual
price at the time of your quote (when you sign on). That way
they are covering any loss or any last minute surcharge. A
company that charges you just one month before is
irresponsible because by now they have received all your
money and should have bought the tickets as soon as you paid
the final balance.
2. Each airline surcharge is different. I was shopping for
myself for this summer to go to France from SFO and the
different amount of surcharges from airline to airline was
incredible. The least expensive airline is Air Canada: the
base ticket was $1,068, and by the time taxes and fees were
added the ticket was $1,131. United Airlines was one of the
most expensive: the base ticket was $1,000 (so at first it
looks like a good deal), but at the end the ticket price was
$1,478!!! American Airlines was from $1,200 base to $1,700
final price!!! Air France was from $1,200 base to $1,500 final.
In conclusion, when booking with a company, ask specific
questions about which airline they will use and check the
airline site for the surcharges. If the company tells you we
don't know who we are going to use, that is not true! They
have contracts with specific airlines and know exactly who
they will use, especially huge established companies like
EF. Also, their membership fee is a joke like EF, and
others. It means nothing and just adds to their profit.
Challenge it and they will back down and offer it as a
discount, or tell them to put it towards the so-called
surcharge.
/blockquote>
I have organized trips to Costa Rica for my 8th grade class
for the past three years. For two years I worked directly
with a Costa Rican tour company, but opted to use Explorica
on year three, hoping that it would save me some time and
stress on the planning front. Though the kids had an
incredible time, I wa...See More/blockquote>
I have organized trips to Costa Rica for my 8th grade class
for the past three years. For two years I worked directly
with a Costa Rican tour company, but opted to use Explorica
on year three, hoping that it would save me some time and
stress on the planning front. Though the kids had an
incredible time, I was less than impressed (and at times
very disappointed) with the accommodations provided by
Explorica, and by the lack of experience demonstrated by
our tour guide.
For this coming year, I am planning another 8th grade trip,
but to Mexico rather than Costa Rica. I have been
investigating both NETC and ACIS, but am still torn between
the two. ACIS seems to be much more expensive than NETC,
but I have heard nothing but good things about the company.
Is the difference in price (about $400 or possibly $500 per
student!) worth it?
/blockquote>
When will you all realise that if you book Explorica you
get EF type hotels, restaurants, guides etc. EF was very
upset when Explorica opened up because they were copied by
tour directors who worked for them. Pay a little more
money and get a three or four star service
/blockquote>
Visit Fieldtripfactory.com it is a community based field
trip. We take our Kindergarteners to Petco for a field
trip. I have been using this site for several years. Take
a look.
by A.B. Taulk
May 26, 2008
/blockquote>
I am being asked for $10 a day for tiping i think this is a
bit much.
/blockquote>
Wondering where K through 2nd grade teachers are going on
field trips? Are there restrictions on where you can go?
Are you allowed to go to Sesame Place? If so, what would
stop you from going?
What could Sesame Place do to attract more field trips
from PA schools?
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Teacher Chatboards
To Mr. Whatever:
First, Françoise is a feminine name, so I am Mrs. Boden.
Second, I don't think you read my answer carefully enough. I agree
that companies do not know on which airline they will put you on
when you sign on, but they know who they have contracts with, so
they can tell you for example, for Eur...See More