ITALY 2015
Parents’ Evening
29th January 2015
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Contents
Aims of the Italy Trip ....................................................................................................................... 3
Travel Details................................................................................................................................... 4
Departure from Preston School .................................................................................................. 4
Return Journey ............................................................................................................................ 5
Itinerary ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Travel Documents Required ....................................................................................................... 144
Passport ..................................................................................................................................... 14
European Health Insurance Card .............................................................................................. 14
General Information ................................................................................................................... 155
Spending Money ....................................................................................................................... 15
Mobile Phones, Devices, MP3s and lost card ......................................................................... 166
The Suitcase, Essentials and Clothing required .......................................................................... 177
Luggage.................................................................................................................................... 177
Expectations ................................................................................................................................ 188
Catching up with school work ....................................................................................................... 19
Emergency contact numbers ........................................................................................................ 19
Accommodation Details .............................................................................................................. 200
Forms to fill in ............................................................................................................................. 200
Final words and Checklist upon Departure................................................................................. 211
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Aims of the Italy Trip
The Year 7 Trip to Sorrento and Rome has received an unprecedented level of interest and in
preparation for writing this booklet, I am conscious that this is one of the largest International
trips we, as a school, have taken. The opportunity for Year 7 students to have an educational
experience that they will never forget, this has been an aspiration of mine since the first
Induction Evening two summers ago.
We have 50 students, many of whom have never been to Italy and 5 members of staff who will
be departing Preston School on 9th July. In the following 5 days, they will visit the ruins of a
Roman City, Pompeii, climb a volcano, practice their Italian and navigate the corridors of the
Vatican! In our third consecutive year, we have carefully designed the itinerary to incorporate
subjects from the School of Global Understanding. We will offer a range of History, Geography,
Language and Religious educational experiences as well as discovering the landmarks, and
gaining a taste of Italian culture, food and hospitality.
The aim of the Italy Trip is also to provide Preston students with a unique opportunity to visit
another country with their peers and teaching staff. The Itinerary we have planned has
maximised every moment of the 5 days and 4 nights we are in Italy, learning from the lessons of
the first trip. We will be travelling with NST once again; a well-respected company which we
have used many times before and that specialises in educational trips abroad. Further details of
the tour below including travel, accommodation, and activities can be found on the NST
website- www.nstgroup.co.uk.
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Travel Details
Please note that some timings may be subject to change and are NOT confirmed and are
subject to availability when the bookings are open for reservations.
Departure from Preston School
On the morning of Thursday 9th July 2015, we leave Preston School at 00:05am (5 minutes
after midnight). My apologies; for the extremely early start. This is in order to catch the 6:40am
British Airways flight to Naples, the only scheduled BA flight leaving London Gatwick. Please be
in school at least 20 minutes prior to departure (i.e. 11:45pm. on the Wednesday evening) to
allow time to load the coach. With luggage allowances in mind, students are recommended to
take one medium sized suitcase, and one overnight bag/ ruck sack in order to carry their
personal possessions, drinks, cameras, MP3 players, spending money and Italy Trip diary. (We
cannot be held responsible for the loss of any personal item, and I would like to make clear at
this point that students need to take special care guarding their own possessions- a point we
will reinforce throughout the trip).
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Preston School – London Gatwick North Terminal arriving at 4:30am
London Gatwick to Naples Airport (Check in two hours prior to departure) departing at
6:40am on Flight Number BA2606. Arriving in Naples at 10:20am local time. Please be
aware that a light breakfast/ meal is provided appropriate to the time of flight but we would
recommend students bring some spending money on our out and inbound journey for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. We will also be stopping at a Service Station for students to buy
a snack at this point.
Coach Transfers to Pompeii arriving at 2pm.
Arrive at the Hotel Klein Wien at 4pm on Thursday evening to settle into our Sorrento Hotel,
the NST website provides a sample of Hotel accommodation which will be 3 or 4 star.
An evening meal will be served on the evening of Thursday 9th July at the hotel and after a long
day, an early night, with the opportunity to complete their blogging and Italy journal in the
morning.
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Return Journey
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Day 5 itinerary includes breakfast and prompt check out with luggage stored safely at
the Hotel. Walking Tour of Roman Sites to the Vatican.
Visit to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica, via the Rome Metro:
tickets will be bought the previous day.
Check out of the hotel by 8:00am.
Leave at 4:30pm, departure from Rome Airport, Passenger Terminal for British Airways
Flight Number BA2541 at 8:00pm, arriving London Gatwick at 9:30pm local time. A light
supper will be served on-board although we recommend to all students that students
buy snacks before they travel.
Coach Transfers from London Gatwick leaving at approximately 9:45pm to return
Preston School at approximately 1:00am, Tuesday morning 14th July.
Itinerary
Wednesday 8th July
11:45pm: Parents and students arrive at Preston School- please be aware that we need to be
respectful of the community who live close to the school.
Thursday 9th July
00:05am - Departure from Preston School
4:30am – Check in BA desk, Gatwick North Terminal
06:40am - Flight to Naples Airport (Check in two hours prior to departure) on Flight Number
BA2606.
11:30am – Arrival and coach transfers direct to Pompeii. We have arranged a short stop at a
Service Station for students to buy a snack for lunch (Pizza, Panni 8-10 Euros) which they will
need to budget for.
2:00pm – Arrive by coach to Pompeii. This time may reduce if the group do not experience any
traffic delays en-route.
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Pompeii- a tour highlight!
2:00pm - Walking tour of the World Heritage Site including the Museum, the ruined city and
completion of the learning activities in groups. Observe the destructive impact of the volcanic
eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD which buried, and consequently preserved the city. Pompeii has it
all - houses, thermopolia, temples, baths, theatres, amphitheatre, palaestra and a forum. A
unique chance to study ‘City Life in Roman Italy’ or to spend time being a real “Roman”
exploring the streets of the city.
4:00pm- Transfer to Hotel Klein Wien, where students will allocated rooms and given the
opportunity for some free time to settle in after a busy first day.
7:00pm - Dinner at the hotel.
9:31pm – Lights out after a 19 hour day! Being a bit too optimistic.
Friday 10th July
Mount Versuvius and Herculaneum
Continental breakfast is served at 7:30am in the hotel, daily itinerary meeting in the breakfast
room and collection of pack lunches prior to departure.
9:00am – Depart from Sorrento Hotel for a full day’s itinerary and significantly less travelling
today.
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10:00am - Arrival at Vesuvius Tourist Centre, Buses can take visitors to within 200 meters of the
summit of Vesuvius. A small entrance fee payable locally of €8.00 per person will be required
(2014 Rate). Students can buy a ticket to the top, and also can purchase refreshments,
souvenirs and even clothing. Remember that it can be considerably cooler at the summit,
especially when there are low clouds.
Our group will ascend on a wide trail of volcanic stone pocked with larger rocks. Good walking
shoes are recommended. The trail switches back several times, and then circles the crater.
Refreshments are found at the summit and at an intermediate point along the trail.
At the summit students can buy a guidebook, or just peek into the crater and enjoy the views
across the Bay of Naples, time has been made available to have drinks and light refreshments;
change of footwear for the climb up the volcano is recommended. There is no shelter or shade
so appropriate hot weather clothing and sun tan cream should be worn.
12:30pm - Transfer from the Crater Car Park to Herculaneum
1:00pm – Pack lunch under the shade of Olive Trees at the designated Picnic site in
Herculaneum.
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2:00pm – Entry to Herculaneum for a full afternoon tour of the historical site. Students will be
divided into their research groups, and will be asked to complete information sheets, conduct
historical research, and walk through the World Heritage Site together.
Web Address: http://www.pompeiisites.org
4:00pm - Departure from Herculaneum.
7:00pm - Evening meal in the Hotel
8:00pm - Immersion class with Ms Ramon
Herculaneum- a city preserved in
time!
At the Volcano
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Saturday 11th July
Magic World Water Park
9:00am - Walking Tour of Sorrento including an opportunity to complete journal, and to buy a
few well deserved gifts for family and friends.
9:30am - Departure for Magic World Water Park
1:00pm - Pack lunch at Magic World Water Park. All students are given maps, contact details of
staff and assigned to their group. The students will be given set times to meet at an assembly
point, this point will be manned by a member of staff at all times. The students are allowed the
freedom to enjoy the attractions.
Magic World Water Park
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Sunday 12th July- To Rome
Check out day and transfers to Rome
6:30am - Wakey, wakey, early start and packing cases, clearing rooms and inspection of rooms
by staff members.
Continental breakfast is served at 7:30am in the hotel,
8:30am - Daily Itinerary meeting in Reception and collection of pack lunches prior to departure
in the Breakfast room.
9:00am- Check out of the Sorrento Hotel. Packing, breakfast and Room Inspection. Students will
collect their pack lunches prior to check out and Group Leaders will ensure all rooms have been
cleared and outstanding issues dealt with prior to departure.
1:00pm- Arrival in Rome and direct transfer to the Colosseum. Opportunity for lunch upon
arrival on the Palatine Hills.
Address: Piazza del Colosseo, Via dei Fori Imperiali
Tel: 00 39 067 004 261
Web Address: http://www.the-colosseum.net/idx-en.htm
2:00 pm - Arrival at the Colosseum for tour of the amphitheatre, re-enactment, followed by
opportunities to meet the Centurions. Continue passed the Arch of Constantine to the Palatine
Hill and Roman Forum. The Colosseum ticket will enable group to enter the other two visits and
allow students to visit one of the great wonders of the world!
5:00pm – Break on the Palantine Hills to recover in the shade after a long day before rejoining
the Coach for transfers to the Hotel. All luggage and personally belonging will be safely stored
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onboard and checked out and group leaders guide their groups to and from the coaching point
throughout the Italy Trip.
7:30pm – An evening meal at a local restaurant within walking distance of the hotel and return
at 9:30pm. Students will be given a 2 course meal including Pizza (requested by a student last
year) and the opportunity to order in Italian. Please note the evening meal will be at Ristorante
La Famigila restaurant near your hotel. All members of the group will have the same set meal.
9:30pm - Return to the Hotel Lux and lights out after a very busy day.
Monday 13th July- Last day
Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica
6:00am - Early Start, Check out and Departure – students will need to be packed and ready to
go before the breakfast. All students need to wear their White Preston PE shirts today, carry
water bottles and wearing their walking boots.
6:45am - Morning briefing, and setting out expectations for the day and H&S notices. Route
maps are studied, and students divided into working groups with precise instruction that they
are to remain with the groups and group leaders at all times during the City Trail.
7:15am - Departure from Hotel along a pre-determined route to the Metro Station Plaza di
Republicca to Ottivano- where students in groups will catch the metro for the four stops to the
Vatician.
8:30 am - Arrival at the Vatican to be met by a Tour Guide who will fast track the group through
the entrance to the Vatican and provide a guided tour of the Vatican City and St Peter’s Basilica.
12:30pm - Lunch will be in the Piazza de Nuvono, a quieter spot for students to enjoy their
lunch.
1:15pm - Begin City Trail conducted by Group
leaders through the City - the route has been
mapped out by Mr Sweet and NST and takes in
the key sites including the Spanish Steps, Trevi
Fountain and Pantheon. At all times students
need to remain with their group leaders and to
be conscious of their belonging at all times.
This is the most superb architectural monument
to have survived intact from ancient Rome. The
vast interior of the pantheon is lit by a single
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round opening at the summit of the dome. Raphael is buried here. After the unification of Italy
it also became the burial place for the Kings of the Savoy dynasty.Address: Piazza della
Rotonda, Rome
Tel: 0039 06 68300230
Opening Times: Mon – Sat: 09:00 – 18:30. Sun: 09:00 – 13:00
Web Address: http://www.aviewoncities.com/rome/pantheon.htm
Suggested Visit (approx. 10 min walk from Pantheon)
Trevi Fountain
Fontana di Trevi, the city’s most famous fountain and
perhaps even the worlds. Its name came from the
three roads (tre vie) that converged on the Piazza.
Crowned by the heraldic arms of the Corsini family.
It is the custom to throw two coins into the fountain,
standing with one’s back to it: one for a happy
return, the second for the fulfilment of a wish!
Address: Piazza Fontana di Trevi
Web Address: http://www.trevifountain.net/
Suggested Visit (aprox 10 min walk from Trevi
Fountain)
Spanish Steps Map ref G4
The majestic Spanish steps were built in the 18th century in the baroque style of perspective.
At the foot of the stairway are the Boat Fountains (Fontana della Barcaccia) by Bernini’s father
(Pietro) and the Keats-Shelley House where the poet Keats died in 1821. At the top of the stairs
is the Holy Trinity on the Hill – this French church was built in the 16th century and restored in
the 19th century. Address: Piazza di Spagna
4:00pm - Return to the Hotel Lux. Students to check out
4:30pm – Transfer from Hotel Lux to Rome Leonardo Di Vinci Airport for BA Flight BA2541
8:00pm- Departure from Rome to London Gatwick arriving at 9.30 pm local time.
10.00pm – Transfers from London Gatwick North Terminal to Preston School
Expected Arrival on Tuesday 14th July at 1:00am in the morning.
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Our excellent guided tour of the Vatican
Walking Tour of Rome – At the Trevi Fountain
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Travel Documents Required
Passport
A full, up-to-date passport in your child’s name only.
We will be collecting all passports well in advance of the departure date to ensure that
everyone has one. Your child will need to hand their passport to Mr R Collins or Front Office by
first week of June 2015 at the very latest. We will then keep all passports until our arrival back
in the UK.
European Health Insurance Card
An EHIC – European Health Insurance Card. This has replaced the old E-111 form. You can
apply for the card either:
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online – the card will be issued within 7 days
by phone – 0845 606 2030 – card will be issued within 10 days
from the Post Office – card will be issued in 21 days
However you choose to apply for the card you will need to have your son/daughter’s full name,
date of birth and NHS or NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER to hand.
Again, we will be collecting the cards in well before departure and your child will need to hand
it to Mr R Collins by first week of June 2015 at the very latest.
These documents are essential to reach us by the above date to avoid any last minute trips to
Newport to issue a new Passport, something I am sure none of us wants to do!
Passenger Lists
We will require the following by Friday 27th March-last day of term or earlier to complete
Passenger Lists
1. A photocopy of your child’s Passport back page with photograph
2. Dietry requirements
3. A photocopy of EHIC Card
4. A completed EV5 form signed by parents
5. All payments with the exception of the final payment
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General Information
Spending Money
Please see the itinerary regarding money required for your child.
Any additional costs have been kept to an absolute minimum however there are a few to be
included as part of the spending money
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Tourist tax- Sorrento and Rome - 8 Euros
Entrance to Mount Versuivius - 8 Euros
Metro Ticket to Vatician - 2 Euros
Any money for snacks/ lunch on Outward and inward journeys at the discretion of
parents.
The amount you provide is entirely at your discretion but we recommend approximately €60 to
buy postcards, presents and souvenirs. Everything else is included in the price of the Italy trip
which you have already paid. Please remember that the currency in Italy is Euros and the
exchange rate will vary prior to departure.
We will be creating a Student Bank, which will allow your Group Leaders to be looking after
your child’s money whilst we are away to prevent loss and will be operating the daily ‘Banking’
system when they will be able to withdraw money bit by bit at the beginning of each day
following Morning Briefing.
Please make sure that you provide your child with your chosen amount IN EUROS. You will need
to organise the currency exchange yourselves at Banks, the Post Office or Travel agents. We
would suggest that you shop around to find the best exchange rate.
When you have done this, please make sure that you place the Euros in an envelope/plastic
wallet with your child’s name and the amount contained within clearly marked on the outside
of the envelope.
As we are likely to stop en-route in the UK it would also be advisable for your son/daughter to
have a small amount of English spending money for any drinks, food, etc. We would suggest no
more than £20 and this can be included with their euro spending money – please identify this
on the outside of the envelope.
We will be collecting in your child’s money as they enter the coach on the day of departure and
any cash left over at the end of the trip will be returned before we leave the hotel on the final
day.
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Mobile Phones, Devices, MP3s and lost card
We recognise it is very important for students to be in touch with you and with us over the
course of the trip. I appreciate that students will bring mobile technology and will encourage
the use of smart phones to keep in touch, write their reflections and communicate with the
school on location. All students need to be aware that these are expensive items that they need
to take special care of and that they are responsible for these mobile devices at all times.
We also recognise the importance of mobile phone in case the worst case scenario, a student
wanders off from the group and becomes lost. All students will be given the emergency contact
details of Group leaders, the hotel and the school which they will put into their phone on
departure at Preston School, and will have with them at all times. A further Lost Card will also
be issued at the start of the trip to all students in both English and Italian, stating that in the
event any student becoming lost, they need to approach a member of the public in a shop, or
information desk, present the card and follow the instructions. A bank of mobile numbers will
also be kept centrally to ensure we can contact them, and they us- a measure and extra
precaution that I hope will put your minds at rest.
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The Suitcase, Essentials and Clothing required
Here is a general list of recommended items for students to pack:
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Clothes for 5 days and 4 nights Travel
Sturdy walking boots / trainers with firm grip
Shoes suited to indoor use
Waterproof jacket
Trousers – not denim for Evening Meals
Equipment (Pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, calculator, protractor)
Clipboard (if you have one)
Day pack/small rucksack
Energy bars/ snacks
Travel sickness bands/tablets
Sunglasses
Sun protection lotion-all high SPF – 30SPF+ (N.b. Do not place in hand luggage)
Mobile phone and charger
Camera and film (if camera is not digital)
Personal stereos/Ipod/MP3 player/DVDs for the coach/ reading books
Hair care equipment
European travel plug adaptors for electrical equipment
Pencil case and writing pad.
Toiletries + towel
Casual clothing for the evenings + sensible shoes – no heels.
Any necessary medication(please inform staff of medication on EV5)
Luggage
The luggage allowance is specified by British Airways and we would recommend viewing their
website to be certain of the requirements for both hand and checked luggage
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagchk/public/en_gb
How large can my bag be?
You will need to be aware that the main item of luggage e.g.
suitcase can be no bigger than 35 “ x 29” x 16”including the
handle, pockets and wheels. If the size exceeds this we cannot
guarantee that the case can be loaded into the coach’s
luggage locker. Please remember that only one suitcase per
student is permitted. An item of hand luggage will be
permitted inside the coach itself, such as a small rucksack.
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Expectations
It is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL that during the trip, all instructions given by any of the party staff
at any time, are adhered to 100 %. This helps to ensure the safety of ALL taking part. Failure to
follow instructions will result in temporary withdrawal from some activities, parents being
contacted or even being taken home to the UK. Here are the dos and don’ts for the students to
follow :
Do...
1. Follow staff instructions at all times – our word is final
2. Wear seat belts on the coach and aircraft at all times
3. Get up and go to bed when requested to do so
4. Participate in all activities – no-one will be staying back at the hotel and opting out
5. Keep your hotel room tidy and be considerate to other guests and staff in the hotels
6. Try all the food given to you in the hotel
7. Do exactly what you are told by your Group Leader moving from site to site.
8. Enjoy yourself!
Don’t…
1. Swap rooms in the hotel – fire regulations
2. Abuse the rights of the local staff and residents
3. Be loud and disruptive in the hotel – you will be charged for any damage you are responsible
for
4. Let yourself or the group down- we have an enviable reputation for International Trips and
people have commented in particular upon the excellent behaviour and respect shown by
Preston students
5. Go anywhere on your own or away from the group
6. Forget to ‘phone or text home when we get to Sorrento on Day One, to let your family know
you have arrived safely
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Catching up with school work
It will be the students’ responsibility to ensure that, on our return to the UK, they find out from
their class teachers what they need to do in order to catch up on any work they have missed
whilst in Italy. Teaching staff will also be asked to ensure that this happens so that the students
do not have gaps in their work.
Each evening students will be taking part in Italian lessons with Ms Ramon and reflecting on
their day through a range of activities designed to keep a log of their reflections. It is for this
reason that we ask all students to bring their writing equipment and note pads with them.
Emergency contact numbers
For your own peace of mind during the Italy Trip, we would strongly recommend that your
son/daughter brings a mobile phone with them to Italy so that they can let you know how the
trip is going and so that you can speak to them whenever you like. Mobile phones are also very
useful for the return journey so that your son/daughter can keep you informed as to our
progress and can let you know if we will arrive early or whether we have been delayed. Don’t
worry if you do not have a phone to lend them. There will be payphones in/near the hotel and
we are sure that friends would also let them make the occasional call. If we need to contact you
in the unlikely event of an emergency, we will have your numbers on the EV5 form.
What happens, though, if you need to contact us for any reason? Here are some numbers
which are essential to you but we would like to stress that these numbers are FOR
EMERGENCIES ONLY.
School Mobile phone numbers:
Mr. P. Moise –07544 273198
Mrs. Chappell – 07889 720637
Your son/daughter will be given a laminated card with these numbers on as we depart, in the
unlikely event that he/she gets separated from the group.
Contact staff member at home:
Mr Morrison – 01935 471131 (School switchboard number)
01935 403801 (Direct Line)
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Accommodation Details
Hotel Accommodation in Rome- 1 Night
Hotel Accommodation in Sorrento- 3 Nights
The Italy Trip staff
Mr Sweet - Group Leader and Year 9 Learning Manager
Mrs Chappell – Party Deputy Leader and Assistant Principal
Ms Ramon- Teacher of MFL and Year 8 Academic Mentor
Mr P. Moise – Former Assistant Principal
TBC
Forms to fill in
1. EV5 parental permission form
2. Translation of consent form for medical treatment – simply sign the form under the last
translation which is in Italian.
These forms will need to be completed in full and returned to Mr Sweet by the first week of
June 2015 at the very latest.
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Final words and Checklist upon Departure
In the last week prior to departure on 6th July, I would ask all parents to ensure they have the
following prepared in advance in order for there to be no last minute problems
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Final payment- Friday 20th March-£109
Friday 9th January
£80 Online Payment, Cheque or Cash
Friday 30th January
£100 Online Payment, Cheque or Cash
Friday 27th February
£100 Online Payment, Cheque or Cash
All documentation including Passport, EV5 and any additional paperwork are sent to Mr
Collins or Front Office and that we have these kept in the School Safe until the day of
departure.
Packing and luggage conforms to British Airways conditions and one piece of hand
luggage is
Any spending money in Euros is collected from Banks, Travel Agents well in advance of
departure to ensure your son or daughter has
Mobile phones are charged and that all electronic equipment is safely packed.
Finally an alarm clock is set for 11.00pm on Wednesday 8th July to ensure you get to
school for 11:45pm on Wednesday 8th July (Coach leaves at 00:05 on Thursday 9th July –
5 minutes after midnight). I am sorry for the early start!
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