The document provides travel information and tips for a group trip to Europe. It outlines the itinerary, including departure from Saskatoon on a 6 am flight, spending part of a day in Toronto before flying to Paris and Athens. It discusses return flights, daily schedules, packing tips, bathroom etiquette in other countries, and guidelines for staying with the group during activities.

1. TRAVEL
GROUPS &
OTHER TIPS
M Riddell
February 2019

2. Trip update
 We’ll be leaving from Saskatoon on a 6
am flight, which means you’ll need to be at
the airport by 4 am.
 We will have part of the day in Toronto and
EF is providing a bus to take us into the city
and tour around. What would you like to
see?
 We then fly out around 6 pm and arrive in
Paris the next morning. We’ll be there about
1.5 hours before we depart for Athens. We
arrive in Athens in the early afternoon.

3. RETURN TRAVEL
 On our return we leave late morning from
Rome then to Paris and then to Toronto.
 We’ll arrive in Saskatoon around 9:30 pm if
everything runs on time.
 If you plan to sleep in the Monday school
resumes, let your teachers know. Be
responsible.
 I’ll get you a flight itinerary as soon as I
receive a final copy. You do not need a
boarding pass just your passport.

4. DAILY SCHEDULES
 We will always have a quick meeting with
times for the following day and the time of
curfew each evening.
 It is important that you be on time in the
mornings. Set more than one alarm.
 Have most of your packing done the night
before.
 Always double check your room for anything
left behind…glasses, dental appliances,
phones, and chargers.

5. PASSPORTS
 I will frequently ask you to find and hold up
your passport so that I can see it.

6. DURING THE DAY
 We will often be on and off the bus. We will
be breaking into smaller groups for lunch
and souvenir shopping.
 When you are given a meeting time it is
important you are at it on time or early.
 Use your phone alarm.

7. GROUPS
 When we meet up as a group we have a
system to know that everyone is there.
 We divide into groups and each group has a
number.
 When we meet we count off the numbers
and then we know everyone is there.
 You can not say your number if your whole
group is not there.

8. GROUPS
 ONE – Matthew, Morgan, Mrs. Snell
 TWO – Breanna, Brandon, Mrs. Wilson
 THREE – Tyson, Merkayle, Mrs. Moon
 FOUR – Kylie H., Luke, Mrs. Sperle
 FIVE – Lexie, Connor, Mr. May
 SIX – Kyle, Kenny, Mrs. Coons
 SEVEN – Sarina, Kylie M, Mr. Mitzel
 EIGHT – Mrs. David & Miss Riddell

9. IF WE WANT TO IMPRESS OUR TOUR
DIRECTOR LEARN YOUR NUMBER IN GREEK
 ONE = ENA (En-a)
 TWO = DIO (Thee-oh)
 THREE = TRIA (Tree-a)
 FOUR = TESSERA (Tess-air-uh)
 FIVE = PENTE (Pen-day)
 SIX = EXI (Ex-ee)
 SEVEN = EFTA (Ef-Ta)
 EIGHT = OCTO (oc-Toe)
 BONUSES – NINE = ENNEA (en-Naya)
 TEN = DEKA (Thek-a)
 Stress the capitalized syllable

10. IF WE WANT TO REALLY IMPRESS OUR
TOUR DIRECTOR LEARN YOUR NUMBER IN
ITALIAN
 ONE = UNO (Ew-no)
 TWO = DUE (Due-eh))
 THREE = TRE (Tr-eh)
 FOUR = QUATTRO (Kwa-tro)
 FIVE = CINQUE (Chink-whey)
 SIX = SEI (s-Ay)
 SEVEN = SETTE (Set-eh)
 EIGHT = OTTO (oct-Toe)
 BONUSES – NINE = NOVE (No-vay)
 TEN = DIECI (Dee-itchy)
 Stress the capitalized syllable

11. GROUPS
 You do not have to spend all your time with
your numbered group.
 However,
 You should let your group know who you’ll
be with
 You must be with at least one other person
 If you are late these rules may change
 Be considerate of everyone and be on time

12. MEALS
 Breakfast, usually at the hotel, sometimes
boxed if we have to be somewhere extra
early.
 Lunch, usually on your own. This is a great
time to try the local cuisine.
 Supper, as a whole group at a restaurant or
the hotel. It will usually be a set menu.
Most of the time you will pay for pop or water
or juice.

13. SNACKS
 Meals are usually smaller than North
American meals.
 It is fun to explore a local grocery store.
 I recommend that you bring some snacks
(granola bars, protein bars) in your suitcase.
Especially if you are a picky eater.
 When you have free time on the tour you
may wish to purchase extra snacks. Some
hotels will have snacks for purchase, some
won’t.

14. WASHROOMS
 When you have an opportunity to use a
washroom do so, even if you don’t really have
to go.
 Sometimes we will not be in an area where
public washrooms are readily available.
 If you have lunch in a restaurant ALWAYS use
their washroom.
 You will often have to pay for public bathrooms
or at least tip the attendant.
 If you want to use a washroom in McDonalds
you will have to buy something and then you
will get a code to open the washroom.

15. WASHROOMS
 Washrooms are often labeled WC.
 Sometimes there will be one washroom for
both sexes.
 Washrooms are not always in the style we
are used to.
 Bringing hand sanitizer (> 100 ml) is a good
plan.
 Bringing small packages of Kleenex is also
useful.

16. “YOU’RE A PEEING”
TOILETS

17. TOP PACKING TIPS
 Pack less than you think you’ll need.
 Make sure to bring medications in their
original packages and a copy of the
prescription.
 It is going to be sunny – bring sunglasses,
SUNSCREEN, and a HAT.
 Good walking shoes are essential.

18. CAMERAS
 If you are bringing a digital camera make
sure to purchase an extra SD card before
you leave and perhaps an extra battery
pack.
 Both items will be expensive to buy in
Europe.

19. CANADIAN SOUVENIRS
 I always pack a few small items to take with
me and give to bus drivers, tour guides,
helpful people, anyone who is nice.
 In the past I have brought Canada Flag pins,
Canadian coins, magnets, key chains, and
so on.
 A few small items to give away or trade.

20. COME WITH AN OPEN MIND
 Things will be different than home. That’s
why we travel.
 Be flexible and patient. The itinerary is
always subject to change.
 Be rested before we go. The tour will be
busy – often with early starts and late nights.
 Be polite and a good ambassador for Unity
and Canada.