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Spring Break 2005, March 13th-20th |
email
Mr. Doggett.
Important Updated
(3/10/05)
Trip Information
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| London Weather | Paris Weather |
WHAT TIME IS IT IN LONDON OR PARIS? CLICK HERE
A
few last minute Instructions:
1.
Make sure you have your passport when you leave home to come to the high school
or if you are meeting us at the airport in Houston.
2. If you are meeting us at the airport in Houston I need to know about it. I know about the Sabinal folks meeting us there but so far nobody else is planning to do that.
3. I will have luggage takes that you will need to fill out and attach to you luggage before we check our bags at the airport.
4. I will also have passport wallets for each of you, compliments of New Horizons Tour and Travel.
5. I understand that the departure time from Vanderbilt has change and I am sorry for it but the bus will leave at 11 AM so you all should be here and ready to go by about 10:30 AM on Sunday.
6. We will be flying Air France flight 33 departing Houston at 4:30 PM arriving in Paris at 8:45 AM and then depart from Paris at 10:00 AM on Air France flight 1370 and arrive in London at 10:20 AM. The flight to Paris will be 9 hours and 15 minutes.
7. We will depart Paris on Sunday, March 20th on Air France flight 36 at 10:15 AM and fly direct (non-stop) to Houston and arrive there at 2:05 PM. We should arrive back in Vanderbilt at about 4:30 or 5 PM. The return flight home will be 10 hours and 50 minutes.
8. It
is a good idea to make a copy of your personal information in case something
happens and you lose your purse or wallet and all your credit cards. Make
a list of all the cards you have and numbers so you can quickly get them
cancelled or replaced. Make sure you keep this information in safe place,
because you will not want anyone to get hold of the valuable information.
It is also a good idea to make a list of important phone numbers to take along
with you.
Rules
for Students on the trip:
The rules are the same as if we were on any other school trip.
1.
There will be no boys in girls rooms or vise versa at anytime for any reason.
2. Students are not allowed to be without adult supervision at any on the
trip. This means you may not leave the hotel without an adult
chaperon.
3. All students on the trip without parents must stay with Mr. Doggett or
Mr. Henry unless they give you permission to accompany another group with
adults. Students will not be allowed to be on there own at anytime other
than in their hotel room at night.
4. Mr. Doggett and Mr. Henry must know where student are at all times.
5. Mr. Doggett and Mr. Henry will tape the hotel doors of students and
students that are staying in a room with their parents. Once the door is
taped you are not allowed out of until the tape is taken off in the
morning. If you need out of your room at any time during the night call
Mr. Doggett or Mr. Henry and we will let you out. If tape is broken on any
door there will be consequences.
6. If Mr. Doggett or Mr. Henry has any reason for suspension of illegal substances (even cigarettes) rooms will be searched in the presence of the students!
Emergency
Contact Information
If you need to get in touch with someone on the trip you can all the New Horizon
Tour and Travel Number at 1-800-327-4695 - this number has a person on call 24
hours a day.
You can also email Mr. Doggett at mdogit@aol.com
I will try to check my email each day while on the trip - I will not have my
computer but will try and check it at the hotel or at a cyber cafe near the
hotel.
You can also call the hotel -- you can find the numbers to the hotels on the hotel links on this web page.
*** Tour Director - London: Loes Oudekotte –
cell: 011 31 6 51 551 039
*** Tour Director – Paris: Marijke Engelse – cell: 011 31 653 711 234
Our Airplane -- Boeing 777-200
Our plane will have 9 seats across with two
isles (3,3,3) - Each seat has its own video monitor for individual viewing of
movies and more.
Working
Itinerary – 7 February 2004
INDUSTRIAL HS THEATRE
DISCOVER
LONDON & PARIS – MARCH 2005
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*** Itinerary subject to change.
*** All inclusions subject to availability.
*** Tour Consultant – Carolin Uhlemann-Short
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SUN,
13 MAR VANDERBILT – HOUSTON
– PARIS 2 ½ hrs
11:00 AM Chartered motor coach will pick you up at the Industrial
High School and take you to George Bush Intercontinental Airport for check-in of
you and your luggage.
4:30 PM Your overseas flight will include dinner, movies and
breakfast snack in-flight, as you look forward to the next exciting week in
Europe.
MON,
14 MAR PARIS – LONDON
8:45 AM
You will touch down at the Charles
De Gaulle Airport and you have some time to stretch your legs before your
connecting flight to London Heathrow.
10:00
AM Departure time
10:20
AM Welcome to the UK.
Your flight will touch down this morning at London’s Heathrow
or Gatwick International
Airport.
10:45 AM
After clearing passport control, collecting your luggage, and passing
through customs, meet your local tour director, your motor coach and driver for
the transfer into London.
12:30 PM After lunch (always at your own expense) transfer to your
hotel, drop your luggage.
1:00 PM Meet a local tour guide for your half-day overview bus
tour of the city. You’ll see such
sights (exterior views only) as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses
of Parliament, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Covent Gardens.
4:00 PM Then transfer to your hotel for check in and to freshen
up.
4:30 PM Your tour director will take you to the London
Dungeon (5:30 pm is last admissions) via the London tube.
6:30 PM Enjoy a ride on the British Airways London
Eye. This 450-foot-high
observation wheel will show you all of London from above.
7:45PM Enjoy a traditional dinner at the Porters
English Restaurant.
HOTEL: COMFORT INN KENSINGTON
22/32
West Cromwell Rd, London, SW5 9QJ
Phone:
011 44 20 7373 3300 Fax: 011 44 20
7835 2040
TUE,
15 MAR LONDON
9:00 AM This morning’s excursion will take you into the heart
of Old Worlde London, home of the famous Globe
Theatre of Shakespeare’s time.
9:30 AM You’ll tour the facilities…
11:30 AM Visit the Hampton
Court Palace, the magnificent State Apartments of Henry VIII, 60 acres of
riverside gardens and the world-famous maze.
2:00 PM After lunch visit the Kensington
Palace.
5-6:30 PM You will receive a £10 cashback for dinner on your own.
7:30 PM After dinner enjoy a
guided walk and hear the story of Jack the Ripper.
WED,
16 MAR LONDON
9:30 AM
Be among the first this morning at the bloody Tower
of London, where you’ll see the priceless Crown
Jewels and other displays. Followed
by a visit to the Christopher Wren’s majestic St.
Paul’s Cathedral.
11:30 AM
Enjoy the rest of the morning and head out to Windsor after lunch.
1:00 PM
A motor coach will meet you at your hotel and take you to the magnificent Windsor
Castle.
3:30 PM
Return to your London hotel to prepare for the evening.
5:30 PM
Head out for dinner (a £10 cashback provided).
7:30 PM
Enjoy the West End show, “Woman in White”.
THU,
17 MAR LONDON – PARIS VIA TRAIN
6:00 AM Breakfast at your hotel
6:45 AM
This morning transfer the train station for your Eurostar
High Speed Train to Paris.
8:12 AM Train departure time.
11:47 AM Your local tour director will meet you at the train station in Paris.
Upon arrival
in Paris a guide will meet you and show you the highlights of this great city.
Sights may include l'Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées, Cathédral de
Notre-Dame de Paris, Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), Hôtel des Invalides (Napoléon’s
Tomp), and more.
After checking into your hotel, look for dinner on your own (A Euro 10
cashback is provided) followed by a visit to the Tour Eiffel
for a night view of the city.
HOTEL: MERCURE PARIS CHATEAUX LANDON GARE
L’EST
1-3
Rue de Chateau Landon
Tel: 011 33 1 44 65 33 33
FRI,
18 MAR PARIS
This morning a motor coach will take you out to Versailles.
Spend the morning touring the magnificent Château
de Versailles, built for the Sun King, Louis XIV.
Return to Paris for an afternoon visit to the world’s largest palace
and greatest museum – Musée du
Louvre.
After dinner on your own (a Euro 10 cashback is provided) this evening,
enjoy your optional Symphony Orchestra concert presented
by Radio France.
SAT,
19 MAR PARIS
Enjoy a morning at leisure.
7:00 PM This evening enjoy your farewell dinner in the slightly
offbeat la
Taverne du Sergent Recruteur on Ile St. Louis.
9:30 PM Finish out your Paris experience with a Bateaux-Parisiennes
cruise on the Seine.
SUN,
20 MAR PARIS – HOUSTON –
VANDERBILT
7:00 AM This morning transfer back to Charles De Gaulle Airport
to check in for your return flight back to Houston and your coach transfer back
to Vanderbilt.
8:00 AM
Arrive at the airport for check in.
10:20 AM Departure time.
This will make for a long day but will give you enough time to reminisce
with your friends about your time in Europe.
2:10 PM Arrival time in Houston.
*** Visas may be required for holders of non-US passports to qualify for entry into England & France. Please be advised that it is the responsibility of the individual to obtain the necessary visa. Telephone New Horizons for assistance.
*** Tour group members are cautioned that city tours in some locations may involve a good deal of walking.
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
1. If you need to mail anything to Mr.
Doggett please do so at the following address:
Mike
Doggett
Industrial High School
Box 399
Vanderbilt TX 77991
2. IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT OFF FOR YOUR
PASSPORT YOU NEED TO DO IT NOW! it takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the government to
process it. You can get it rushed but it will cost
you more money. Click
here for information on how to get a passport.
3. It is suggested that everyone get a money belt. This is something you wear around your waist and under you shirt. It allows you to keep your money out of sight and reach of pick-pockets. It is also big enough to keep your passport in at all times (Guys, you will not be able to put your passport in your wallet and is not suggested to put in your back pocket). It is very important to keep your passport with you at all time (if you have travelers checks you will need it to cash them). If you lose your passport you will not be able to leave the country until a replacement is obtained!
Here is a picture of a money belt -- you can get them at Wal-Mart and are pretty cheap.
4. Other Travel
Accessories
~~IMPORTANT~~
THREE THINGS THE TOUR COMPANY NEEDS ASAP. 1). YOU NAME AS IS APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT 2). YOUR PASSPORT NUMBER 3). Your date of birth and country you were born in. NHTT will be sending you a mail out for this information. If you do not have your passport send it in to them as soon as you get it. This information is needed by Jan. 20th. If you will not have your passport by that time send in what information you have and then send in your passport number as soon as you get your passport in the mail. THIS IS THE LETTER THAT NHTT SENT OUT AND YOU SHOULD SEND IN ALL INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE BY JAN. 20. LETTER
Also,
If
you have your passport please mail a COPY of the information page and send it to
Mr. Doggett at Industrial High School. If you do not have your passport
yet send this information to Mr. Doggett just as soon as you get your passport
in.
You can fax the photo copy of your information
page of your passport to:
Attention Mr. Doggett @ 361-284-3328
You can mail it
to Mr. Doggett at Industrial High School
See address above.
Or you can scan
it as a jpg. image and email it to Mr. Doggett
mdogit@aol.com
Comfort Inn Kensington - Currency Exchange in Hotel
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The
official Woman in White website
Reviews, Videos, Music and more.
The New (and only playing in London) Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera) Staring Michael Crawford (famous for his role as the Phantom of the Opera)
AND WE HAVE
THE BEST SEAT IN THE THEATRE!
Or at least have the highest priced seats and should be in a great location - NO
BALCONY SEATS!
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PARIS SHOW
(OPTIONAL PERFORMANCE)
Orchestre
de Radio France
(Symphony Orchestra Radio
France - orchestra
of 138 musicians)
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Just
13 years separate the composition of Messiaen's L' Ascension, written in 1933,
and Ravel's 1920 masterpiece La Valse. Yet they define the extremes of early
20th-century French orchestral music. This dramatic pairing made up the second
half of Myung-Whun Chung's Prom with his Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio
France. The players proved as convincing in Messiaen's radical spirituality as
in Ravel's spectacular secularism.
La
Valse is a profound reflection on fin de siècle decadence. Ravel's waltz
creates an atmosphere of nostalgia, before violently dancing itself to death.
Chung and the players revelled in the music's luxuriousness, and captured the
brilliance of Ravel's orchestration. But even more striking was the way they
shaped the whole structure.
The
performance began with half-remembered fragments of waltz tunes and rhythms.
Out of this mist of memories the music coalesced into a sensual weave of
melody. The effect of the final passage was overwhelming, as the tunes
dissolved into a chaotic dissonance, and an excess of pleasure turned into an
expression of horror.
There
was another kind of decadence in the "Four Symphonic Meditations" of
L'Ascension. The final movement was a luminous image of Christ ascending to
God. The piece is scored for strings, but is symbolically weighted towards the
highest register: the full first violin section plays against a reduced
complement of violas and cellos. Chung drew a performance of rapt intensity
from his players. But the orchestra's woodwind and brass were equally
impressive in the first movement, as the music's ritualistic repetitions built
towards a blazing climax. In between these imposing musical icons were two Alléluias,
which celebrated their images of celestial perfection with full orchestral
splendour.
The
other French component of the programme was the glittering burlesque of
Berlioz's Roman Carnival overture. But the highlight of the first half was the
performance of Bruch's First Violin Concerto by Kyung-Wha Chung, the
conductor's sister. There was a sensitive musical and emotional rapport
between the two, and nowhere more so than in the slow movement. Taken at a
mesmerisingly slow speed, Kyung-Wha's fluid phrasing was matched by her
brother's delicate accompaniment. The finale was a joyous release of tension,
as soloist and conductor took turns in leading the music's rustic, unabandoned
dance.
Guardian
Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004
Orchestre
philharmonique de Radio France
directeur musical : Myung-Whun
Chung
The
originality of this orchestra of 138 musicians, are the very great flexibility
and the variety of its repertory. The philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France
can indeed be divided into two, even three formations, these sets being able
to adapt to very different repertories: it is what one familiarly calls the
" variable geometry ". The traditional concerts of symphonies or
works for chamber orchestra presented by the orchestra are the proof of this
adaptability, as well as the concerts of contemporary music which call upon
specific instrumental combinations. This does not prevent the Orchestra from
regularly interpreting the great repertory of XIXe and XXe centuries.
The
philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France gives on average 50 concerts per year,
so much in France than during its tours in foreigner country.
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(b Seoul, 22 Jan 1953).
Conductor and pianist, brother of (1) Myung-Wha Chung. He made his début as a pianist with the Seoul PO at the age of seven, and then studied the piano with Reisenberg and conducting with Bamberger at Mannes College in New York. After graduating from the Juilliard School in 1974 he worked with Sixten Ehrling from 1975 to 1978. He made his conducting début in 1971 with the Korean SO and won second prize in the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow in 1974. Giulini appointed him assistant conductor at the Los Angeles PO in 1978 and two years later promoted him to associate conductor. He was chief conductor of the Saarbrücken RSO (1984–90) and in 1986 made his Metropolitan début conducting Simon Boccanegra. This resulted in numerous guest engagements, including performances with the Vienna PO, the Berlin PO and leading British and American orchestras. From 1987 to 1992 he was principal guest conductor at the Teatro Communale in Florence and in 1989 was awarded the Arturo Toscanini Prize. In the same year he succeeded Barenboim as director at the Opéra Bastille in Paris, following the latter's dispute with the government. Chung’s directorship led to a similar impasse; after conducting acclaimed productions of Les Troyens, Otello and Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District and directing the opera orchestra with great success on tour, he left the Bastille in 1994 amid strikes and lawsuits. He was subsequently appointed chief conductor of the Korean Broadcasting System SO and is active as a guest conductor in concert and opera. In 1994 he gave the première of Messiaen’s Concert à quatre, of which he is the dedicatee.
Chung often directs piano concertos from the keyboard, and has formed a piano trio with his sisters Kyung-Wha and Myung-Wha. On the podium, much of his technique is reminiscent of Karajan. He favours long singing lines, but is also a master of powerful dramatic effects. He has made eloquent, idiomatic recordings of French, Russian and Italian repertory, including several major works by Messiaen.
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Free
buss service
Throughout
the season, after each evening performance given in the Concert Hall, the Cité
de la Musique offers a free bus service to various destinations within Paris (Gare
du Nord, République, Hôtel-de-Ville, Luxembourg and Denfert-Rochereau).
Access to the bus is for Cité de la musique audiences only, please present your
ticket (subject to availability).
FAQ's
1. Will the x-ray machine damage my film?.
It should not effect your film. It is advised to take your file in your
carry-on bag and not your checked bag.
2. Should I bring nice dress up clothes? Casual dress will be expectable everywhere we go, only bring dress up clothes if you want.
3. What is the weather going to be like? Dress warm! Average temperature in London will be High of around 56 and low of around 40 -- In Paris the high will be around 61 and the low around 41. Bring an umbrella it rains often. I WOULD SUGGEST TO WEAR YOU COAT ON THE AIRPLANE -- THAT WAY YOU WILL HAVE IT WHEN WE LAND AND IT WILL NOT TAKE UP EXTRA ROOM IN YOUR BAGGAGE.
4. What should I do about exchanging money You can travel with Travelers Checks, There is a 2% fee on cashing all traverlers checks. You can use your ATM or Credit Card in any ATM machine in London or Paris and it will give you pounds or euros and will give it to you at the proper current rate of exchange. There is also something new called the American Express Travelfund Card (click link to see more) It is like have traveler's checks and a credit card/ATM card all in one. This new card has a $300 dollar minimum. Money can also be exchanged at all airports and there are lots of exchange locations and banks all over Paris and London. ANOTHER option NHTT gave us is to send them money and they will exchange it for you -- they get a better exchange rate (not sure how much yet and if it will be worth the trouble). If anyone wants to do this let me know and I will workout the details.
Exchange Update: I have been told by NHTT that if you send them money to exchange (like mentioned above) the exchange rate they can get is only .03 on the dollar -- sending money to NHTT to exchange for that little of a saving seems to me like to much trouble for what little saving you will get.
5. Will my blow dryer work over there? NO. You will need a power converter -- more on this later - but you can pick them up a Wal-Mart for pretty cheap. Our hotel in London have hair dryers in the room -- so their web page say. Our Paris hotel also says it has hair dryers in each room. This is from our Tour Director: At Radio shack there is a world converter (plugs) it comes with difference once (one for each England & France) They will only need the the different plug IF their electric thing has a switch from 110 V to 220V. If they cannot switch the voltage they need a converter (translator) this means the part you plug in will change the voltage from 110V to 220 V - this way the curling iron won't blow up!!!!
6. What about my medicine, on the airplane? You will need to keep your medicine in the original prescription bottle even if you are taking vitamins and it is in a large bottle. Any type of pill that is in an unmarked bottle could get you in to trouble. If you are diabetic and have to take shots for it -- you might ask the flight attendants about it this -- I have been told that flight attendants have been known to keep it for you until you need it if you need it on the flight. The best thing is to have a note from your doctor if you have a unique medical situation.
7. How
many bags can I bring and what size should those bags be? You
are allowed 2 checked bags and one carry-on bag and one personal item (such as
a briefcase or purse) I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST TO ONLY BRING ONE CHECKED BAG --
REMEMBER YOU WILL HAVE TO CARRY ALL YOUR BAGS EVERYWHERE WE GO.
A. Checked bags can
weight no more than 50 lbs. (this has changes since I talked to some of
you). The bag can NOT exceed a total of 62 inches with combined length,
width and height. Baggage that exceeds these parameters are subject to
excess baggage charges. These charges are the responsibility of the
individual NOT the group.
B. Carry-on baggage may not exceed 40 lbs. or a total of 45 inches when adding height, length and width (9" by 14" by 22"). You may be asked to check larger carry-on bags if the over-head compartments are too full on the airplane.
C. Tag all bags with name/address/phone. NHTT will provide tags for easy identification. You might want to add additional identification by adding a colored tape, ribbon or sticker. Remember, you and 20 other people might have the exact bag and it will be difficult to identify you bag at the baggage clam area -- this will speed up your departure from the airport. BAGGAGE HANDLING IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP SO EACH PERSON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN BAGS.
D. Remember to leave some extra room in one of your bags for things you buy and bring back. It is possible to have larger items shipped back to the US via mail.
8. What are some things
I should not pack due to increased security in all airports? You
may not bring anything in your carry-on bag that might be considered a weapon
of any kind. Some example are:
*Knives of any length, composition or designation
*All cutting and puncturing instruments. This includes pocketknives,
carpet knives, box cutters ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors, metal
nail files and finger nail clippers.
*Corkscrews
*WEAPONS: firearms, ammunition, gunpowder, mace, tear gas, or pepper
spray
*AREOLE SPRAYS: hair spray cans, deodorants, insect repellant, or
butane fuel (such as in curling iron refills, scuba tanks, propane tanks, cartridges,
and self-inflating rafts)
*EXPLOSIVES: fireworks, sparkers, or signal flares.
*FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR SOLIDS: fuel, paints, paint thinners or cleaners,
lighter fluid, and perfume (no more than 16 oz)
*OTHER HAZARDOUS ITEMS: dry ice, gas-powered tools, wet-cell batteries,
camping equipment with fuel, radioactive materials, poisons, and infectious
substances.
*LEAVE GIFTS UNWRAPPED: Airline security personnel will open gifts if
the X-Ray scan cannot determine the contents.
*IF IN DOUBT, DON'T PACK IT.
9. Are there any do's
and don'ts while in the airport? YES.
Here are the major ones:
*Watch your bags and personal belongings at all times and do not leave them
unattended -- if you do airport security will snatch them up.
*Do not accept baggage from stranger -- or candy!
*Report any unattended bags or packages anywhere in the airport to airport
terminal or parking area officials -- also report any suspicious activities or
individuals to security.
*DON'T JOKE ABOUT HAVING A BOMB OR FIREARM. Don't even discuss
terrorism, weapons, explosives, or other threats while going through the
security checkpoint. The mention of these words can compel security personnel
to detain and question you.
*Electronic items such as laptop computers and cell phones, may be subjected
to additional screening. Be prepared to remove your laptop from its
travel case so it can be X-Rayed separately
*Be prepared to take off your shoes at the security check point.
*Wear as little metal as possible to avoid delays when going through security
metal detectors.
10. DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT -- YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOARD THE PLANE WITHOUT IT!
11. I am an adult on the trip will have any chaperon responsibilities ? NO, Mr. Henry and Mr. Doggett are in complete control of all students traveling without a parent on the trip. The only time where you might have to chaperon a student is if you choose to do so. There will be times when the group goes in different directions (to eat lunch or during free time) and you allow a student to go with you or your small group. JUST REMEMBER, THAT MR. DOGGETT AND MR. HENRY HAVE FINAL SAY AND AUTHORITY OVER THE STUDENTS WITHOUT PARENTS .And, remember, if you are not comfortable with having students with you at anytime please let me know. Mr. Doggett or Henry must know where the kids are at all time and approve for them to leave with another group that does not include Mr. Henry or Mr. Doggett in it.
12. I hear Mr. Doggett
tapes hotel doors at night, what's up with that? YES.
I do. I will be taping all doors that have students in a room, even if
there are parents in that room. Let me explain. Taping hotel doors
is something I have been doing for years, it helps to insure that a student
does not leave the room after I go to bed. If for any reason the student
needs to leave the room they must call me and I will let them out. I
always get up early, before anyone else, and take the tape off the door before
anyone gets up. I also tape the doors of students who are staying with
their parents because I have kids sneak out of the room after their parents go
to sleep and returned before they got up and the parents never knew about
it. THIS IS ALL FOR SAFETY OF THE KIDS -- WE DO NOT WANT THEM OUT ON THE
STREETS OR EVEN IN THE LOBBY OF A HOTEL IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY!
13. I am an adult and traveling with other adults
on the trip do I have to do and go everywhere the group does? NO.
You have tons of freedom. If you decide that you don't want to go on one
of the planned activities you have the option of doing whatever you want or
not going. You have paid for this trip and I want you to have the time
of your life with the group or on your own.
14. Will I have free time to shop? YES. Now what kind of trip would I plan without some good shopping time. There will be many times that we will be in areas that have thing to buy -- our hotel in London is near a very popular market area. Check the itinerary for other times in London that you might shop. While in Paris you will notice that the day before we fly home we have up until 7 PM before we have anything scheduled. You should take a guide book with you and make plans to use your free time. I will have several travel videos on the charter bus to the Houston airport that I will show. These video have tons of thing to do in both London and Paris, bring something to write with on the bus as you will see things you might want to check out during your free time.
15. What should I do about locking my bags, I understand that security might want to open and check my bag and I don't want them to break my lock off? http://www.ebags.com/. To order TSA approved Locks for your bags. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NHTT THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT EVEN A SPECIAL LOCK WILL NOT BE CUT OFF BY THE AIRLINE -- IT IS BETTER TO NOT LOCK YOUR CHECKED BAGS. Do not put valuables or breakable items in your checked bags -- put those items in your carry-on bags.
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Locking Your Checked Baggage --
INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
ASSOCIATION.
In some cases screeners will have to open your baggage as part of the screening process. If your bag is unlocked then TSA will simply open and screen the baggage. However, if you decide to lock your checked baggage and TSA cannot open your checked baggage through other means, then the locks may have to be broken. TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes. TSA suggests that you help prevent the need to break your locks by using a TSA recognized locking mechanism. These "special" locks can be opened by TSA using tools provided to us by the luggage industry members. Please refrain from packing valuable items in your checked baggage. Once you drop your baggage with your air carrier, both the carrier and TSA will handle and process the baggage in some manner. The air carriers retain possession of your checked baggage for the entire trip with the exception of a short period of time while it is screened by the TSA. Please keep in mind that most air carriers have the following liability limitations for lost, damaged, or stolen items: No Liability for:
Also:
TSA HIGHLY recommends that you do not pack the items mentioned above in your checked baggage. Protect yourself and do not pack valuables in your checked baggage. |
16. What kind of
shoes should I bring? Bring shoes that you
can walk in and ones that do not hurt you feet. I made the mistake of
buying new shoes on my first trip to New York and couldn't hardly get around
because my feet hurt so bad because the were not broken in.
17. What is the time difference in London
and Paris? Both London is 6 hours and Paris
is 7 ahead of us. So if it 7 PM in Vanderbilt it is 1 AM in London and 2
AM in Paris.
18. I need to contact my child how do I do that? There are several ways. Have you child buy an international calling card when we get to London -- I have been told that many of the cards here in the States are not as good as the ones you get in London or Paris -- many hidden charges and you don't get as many minutes as you think you are paying for along with being more expensive here. Most cell phones will not work unless you have a special phone which you can rent that will work world wide. The best thing to do is have your child call you from the hotel (make sure they understand the time change) and you can call them back if they do not have lots of minutes on a calling card. You can also leave a message at the hotel for you child -- see numbers above.
19. Will tips be included in the price of the trip?
Tipping in FranceIn restaurants and cafés, a service charge of 15% is included in prices by law ("service compris" should be written on the menu). Tipping in not necessary unless you are very satisfied with the service.
People usually tip taxis drivers (10-15%), porters, concierges, hairdressers (10%) and ushers. It is common practice to tip coach driver and tour guides after an excursion.
Tipping in the United KingdomThe custom of tipping is well established in the U.K. Many restaurants clearly include a service charge, and in this case there is no need to tip. Otherwise tip between 10 and 15% if the service is acceptable. Like most restaurant personnel elsewhere, their wages in the U.K. are low, based on the assumption that they will earn tips.
Taxi drivers are commonly tipped 10%. Pocket change is usually proffered to theatre, and public lavatory attendants. Hotel porters that assist guests with bags also expect to receive a gratuity - from between £1-5 depending on how many bags there are.
20. Will my valuables be safe in my hotel room? There should be a safe in each room -- it is suggested that each person keep your passport (unless you need it to cash travelers checks) and extra money along with any other valuables there. It is not wise to carry large amount of money on you while you are out and about in either London or Paris.
21. I hear that the rooms will not have a bathroom that we will have to use a community bathroom down the hall? NO! Each room has it own private bathroom along with hairdryer. Go to the hotel link on this page and check out what each hotel offers -- you will find that they offer many of the same things we are used to here in the States.
IMPORTANT
DEADLINES:
IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT IN YOUR PASSPORT NUMBER TO NHTT
PLEASE EMAIL IT TO CARO AT caro@nhtt.com
AS SOON AS YOU GET YOUR PASSPORT IN.
IMPORTANT FORMS:
(some forms will take a minute or so to open depending on the speed of your
connection)
Adult Registration
From
Trip
Highlight Sheet
Something to give a friend that is
interested in going on the trip.
Travel Insurance
this
policy will pay money back if a person can’t make the trip due to medical,
death, or family emergency.
The price is $62.00
per person not included in total price of trip – this is optional).
Payment due within 7 days of first deposit if there is a per-existing medical condition or
anytime before the final payment. Call Mr. Doggett if you have any questions
about this.
Call
or Email Mr. Doggett if you have any questions.
MDogit@aol.com
361-284-3216 school main phone
361-284-3641 theatre/band office
361-284-3131 home phone
361-676-6100 cell phone
If you were not able
to open the files on this page you might need
to download the free Acrobat Reader program.
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Visit
the New Horizon Tour and Travel Website
The
universal Currency Converter:
London
Travel Tips
Paris
Travel Tips
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Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II Born: April, 21 1926 - Accession: February 6, 1952
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Notre Dame Cathedral |
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The Tower of London
TRIP
INFORMATION:
London is a massive city, and it is difficult to truly see all of it. The city is famous for its winding roads, dead-end alleys, and streets that constantly change names. The best way to explore London by far is by walking. Most of the sites you will want to see are in Central London, which houses the theater district, the major shopping areas, most major museums and other tourist attractions, and the best nightlife and restaurants. But there are other parts of London outside of the center that are worthwhile such as parks, residential areas, and cultural neighborhoods. Try to explore as much as possible. You will need a street atlas to keep with you just in case; buy "London A to Z" (pronounced A to Zed) to find those obscure streets or landmarks. But don't rely too much on maps; allowing yourself to get lost is also a great way to see London.
London
also has an extensive public
transportation system. Sometimes it is more convenient to use this
instead of walking. The train system, called the Underground, or "the
Tube," is divided into six concentric zones. Zone 1 encompasses Central
London, and each successive zone reaches farther out into the suburbs. Fares
increase as you travel farther. The Tube is fairly clean and safe, although
there is always the danger of pickpockets at crowded times. Trains stop
running around midnight, so buses are sometimes a better option, since they
run 24 hours a day. There are many different bus lines that travel
throughout the city and its outer areas, most of them originating from
Trafalgar Square, the unofficial center of London. If you use public
transportation regularly, you can buy weekly and monthly discounted
Travelcards for unlimited use on the bus and train. In London and throughout
the UK, a one-way ticket is called a "single," and a round-trip
ticket is called a "return." If you need to take a cab because
it's late or you have luggage or something, try to take the plain black
ones. The ones with colored advertisements tend to be more expensive.
London Underground: This is the quickest way to get around London
(North American visitors note: The British don't call the Underground the
"Subway", in the U.K. a subway is a pedestrian underpass!). Maps
of the Underground are widely available in London. There are eleven
different color coded routes and trains stop at every station, unless
otherwise indicated. Services run every few minutes from 05.30 to midnight
(Sundays from 07.30 to 23.30). Tickets are available from the manned kiosk
in the station or from the automatic ticket machines. The machines also take
paper currency when the "Change Given" sign is lit.
The Underground is divided into six zones. The more zones you travel across,
the more expensive the ticket. One Day Travelcards (or LT Travelcards before
09.30) offer great value for unlimited multiple journeys on one day. These
are valid on busses. Look out for the weekend Travelcard for great value if
you're staying on Saturday and Sunday. A Travelcard for Zones One and Two
covers virtually all the important attractions in London.
Taxis: London's black Taxis are familiar the world over. (They are
increasingly no longer black, but still the same distinctive shape) They can
be hailed when the yellow "For Hire" sign is illuminated on the
roof above the driver's windscreen. Journeys are metered and cabs should
display their license. Tip approx. 10%.
Beware of unlicensed taxis. Cheaper fares can sometimes be had, but often
visitors may be overcharged. Such drivers are known to get lost frequently.
You have been warned!
Boat trips: Boat trips are available from Westminster and Embankment
piers. You can choose from a fifty minute round trip including views of the
House of Parliament and the Tower Bridge from Embankment pier. Other options
are to take a trip east to Greenwich with its weekend covered market and
fantastic maritime history or go west to Hampton Court Palace.
London is a very expensive city, perhaps even more so than New York City. There are temptations to spend around every corner, and it is often hard to find a bargain. Don't constantly worry yourself with the exchange rate; just try to find good deals. In terms of accessing your money, HSBC is probably the best bank to use. It has many convenient ATM locations throughout London. A few American banks such as Citibank are there as well, but they are not as common. If you are using an ATM account with your bank from home, make sure that it is either on the PLUS or Cirrus system (the symbols will be on the back of your card), and be aware that you will be charged every time you take out money. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, but American Express is not as widely accepted. Traveler's checks are good to have as backup money just in case; make sure to buy them in the US before you go to London.
You've probably heard horror stories about British food. It's definitely not the best cuisine in the world, but eating in London is still a rewarding experience. Since it is a large and diverse city, there are many different types of food. Chinatown and other areas have great Chinese food, Indian food is all over the place and very enjoyable, Middle Eastern food is prevalent, and of course fast food chains such as McDonald's and Pizza Hut are common. Sandwich shops are a great place to eat in or "take-away," whether it's a chain like Benjy's, Pret A Manger, or a local shop. British food should definitely be tried at least once. Pubs are probably the best place to order fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and other traditional items.
Eating out often gets expensive, especially in areas close to tourist attractions and central London, so cooking is a good option for most meals. Supermarkets have a wide variety of food, although the portions and sizes may sometimes seem odd compared to those in the US. The major supermarkets are Safeway, Sainsbury, Tesco, and Marks & Spencer. Outdoor markets are a great place to buy fruits and vegetables.
Again, London is expensive, especially in tourist areas. But there are places to shop that aren't very expensive. Outdoor markets such as Camden Market, Portobello Road, and others scattered around the city have great deals and interesting finds. Visit the famous Harrod's at least once, even if you're not buying anything. London has very few malls, but there are a wide variety of stores everywhere.
The only consistent weather forecast for London is "changeable." The seasons are pretty much the same as in the US, with a few differences, the biggest one being that it rarely snows in London. Rain, of course, is always a possibility. Temperatures can change frequently throughout the day and often contradict the season. Be prepared for anything. Dress warmly and in layers, and always carry an umbrella.
http://www.london.com
http://www.londonnet.co.uk
http://www.londontouristboard.com
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk
http://www.timeout.com/london/
http://www.visitbritain.com
The "Must-Sees" in London
If you're only visiting London for a short time, here's a list of the sights
considered to be the most important by many visitors.
The
London (Millennium) Eye : Underground Westminster
The
British Museum : Underground: Tottenham Court Road
Changing
of the Guard : Buckingham Palace Underground: St James' Park, Green
Park (Please check program. Changing of the Guard takes place every day
in the summer season between 11.00am and 12.15 and on alternate days in
the winter season. The changing of the Guard is cancelled if it's
raining!
Hampton
Court Place: Take train from Waterloo to Hampton Court or a boat
from Westminster Pier.
London
Zoo: Underground Regents Park
Madame
Tussard's Waxworks: Underground Baker St.
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square:
Underground Charring Cross
St. Paul's Cathedral: Underground St
Paul's
The Natural History
Museum: Underground:
South Kensington
The Science
Museum: Underground: South
Kensington
The
Tower of London & Tower
Bridge: Underground Tower Hill
Westminster
Abbey: Underground Westminster
Windsor
Castle (Outside London - 40 min. by rail from Paddington
Station, change at Slough)
recognition
Important dates from London's history:
43AD Roman Emperor Claudius establishes Londinium on the North Bank
of the River Thames.
871 London occupied by the Danes
1014 London Bridge pulled down by Vikings from Norway as they
attacked London from ships in the Thames. From this, the nursery rhyme was
born "London Bridge is falling down".
1045 King Edward the Confessor makes London capital city of England
1066 William the Conqueror becomes King after the battle of Hastings
and orders the Tower of London to be built
1605 The "Gunpowder Plot" - Guy Fawkes attempt to blow up
the Houses of Parliament is foiled
1665 The Black Death or Plaque kills over 70,00 of London's
inhabitants.
1666 The Great Fire of London spreads over 270 acres and destroys
nearly 13,300 houses and churches.
1694 Foundation of the Bank of England
1707 Act of Union is passed. The Scottish and English Parliaments
combined under one roof in Westminster
1712 St. Paul's Cathedral is completed in the City of London
1785 "The Times" newspaper is published for the first time.
1839 Trafalgar Square gains the addition of Nelson's Column
1851 The Great Exhibition takes place in the Crystal Palace in Hyde
Park
1897 Queen Victoria celebrates her Diamond Jubilee
1914 "Zeppelin" bombs hit the city during the First World
War
1940 German bombers lay waste to many parts of London during
"The Blitz"
1953 Queen Elizabeth II is crowned
1981 Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer married in St. Paul's
Cathedral
1997 London and the country mourn Princess Diana's death
2000 London's new landmark the Millennium Eye opens by Westminster
Bridge
2002 Queen Elizabeth becomes only the second monarch to celebrate her
Golden Jubilee
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Average
in January is 39 degrees Fahrenheit. |
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London is 203 feet above sea level. |
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Be aware of the smog conditions in London. They are higher than normal because of the location of the congested city. Be sure to also have all necessary shots and immunizations when traveling to London. London is a big destination city for travelers world wide and you want to be protected! See your local doctor for details. Tap water is drinkable in London. In a restaurant, you can ask for tap water if you do not want to buy still or sparkling water. |
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Be aware of local ordinances regarding local regulations. Parking right on the road may cost you in many conditions a great deal of money. Look for public parking, or stay parked at your hotel and take public transportation. You will save a lot of money and get to experience traveling throughout the city without the headache of knowing where you are going. |
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London is a safe destination and potential visitors should not be concerned about traveling into or around Britain. Although London is a safe place to visit, visitors should always use their common sense and follow certain safety tips. |
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You can change money in the airport, banks, hotels and exchange offices. All of these alternatives are good and there is not much difference in the rate - just shop around. |
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London
Visitor Centre |
Paris
Travel
tips:
Paris Orientation:
Paris, France's famous capital city, is one of the world's best-loved and
romanticised cities. From the top of one of the world's best-loved
landmarks, the city of Paris spreads in wondrous symmetry like a perfectly
constructed spider's web of beautiful buildings, parks and long avenues. The
Eiffel Tower provides this unsurpassable bird's-eye view of a planning
triumph, unscathed by time, growing more attractive, romantic and mysterious
as the years go by. It is still the city of dreamers, one of the few places
where rain and cold simply add to the dynamic essence sought time and again
by people from all over the world. Lovers of food, wine, art and music flock
to taste the exquisite flavours of the city that justifiably holds the title
of the capital of style.
Paris City Facts
Paris Population – 9,638,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000
estimate)
France Population – 59,061,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000
estimate)
Currency – Euro
Time Zone – GMT + 1
Language – French
Tip #1 for Paris - If you are in Paris driving a car, be aware that people in Paris drive however they want to.
Tip #2 - If you have a car, get a good tourist book which will tell you where and where not to park.
Tip #3 - Learn a bit of French. A great book which has a lot of basic phrases and fun things to try is Rick Steves' handy pocketbook guide to basic French (find book)
Tip #4 - Use the Metro (the subway). There is simply no better way to get around Paris. But make sure you've brushed up on your French. It will help with buying tickets and understanding the maps in the subways.
Tip
#5 - The lines and crowds at the Eiffel Tower can get very long.
If you must see the lights of Paris at night (and you should) Go on a
week night (not Friday), or make reservations.
Tél. : 01.44.11.23.23 (From the U.S., first dial 1016868 (This
makes your call only 9 cents/minute), then 011, then 33 (33 is the Paris
country code), then 1.44.11.23.23)TIP #6 - The Louvre. I've been to Paris twice now and still not been in the Louvre. From what I understand, if you are an art lover and really appreciate art museums, you could spend weeks here, but for most people, half a day is enough time. You see the famous pictures (Mona Lisa), and spend some time looking at the amazing art. I can't really give a good suggestion on how much time to spend there. I've heard rumors, however, that if you go on Sunday morning and get there as they're opening, it's free admission. Could just be a rumor, you're best off giving them a call. Tél. : (1016868 011 33) 1.40.20.53.17
TIP # 7 - If there is one place that is absolutely crazy to drive in Paris, it's in the roundabout that goes around the Arc D'Triomphe. If you rent a car and drive here, just go travelling around in your car like you would if there were no rules.
TIP #8 - There are lots of wonderful museums in France! One of them is the Pantheon, which was originally a church, and originally planned to be something other than that which I can't remember at present. Victor Hugo and some other famous French people are buried here. Make sure you set aside some time and some money to visit the museums if that's something you want to do.
TIP #9 - Have some small change (or large change if you can afford it) on hand for the street performers. They're pretty good!
TIP #10 - 
If
you like looking at the inside of churches, take some time for Notre'
Dame, and if you have a problem with crowds, don't go on the weekend.
People were pretty respectful inside the cathedral on the weekdays, but
there are a lot of people there on the weekends, so you end up waiting
in line, and it gets more noisy inside.
TIP #11 - If you want to see the Eiffel Tower light up and sparkle
at night, get there right before the hour.
Tip #12 - If you're only going to be there a short time, get a calling card before you go. On Complaints.com, people tell stories of how they have been overcharged as much as $6.00 per minute by phone companies for both calling to and from Europe. DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE OR GET CAUGHT PAYING TOO MUCH! There are some lesser known and very inexpensive ways to call Europe from America, and to call America from Europe. I've suggested some on my calling advice page.
TIP #13 - If you see a person on the street who is selling something and wants to sketch you or give you something for free, don't be fooled by talk which says they'll so something for free. IT ISN'T FREE! I had a negative experience with a sketch artist, and while I'm sure there are some good (and legitimate) sketch artists in Paris, I didn't find them. Make sure you know the whole story up front! They tried to get us to pay over $80 for two, less than good, sketches.
TIP #14 - Take a camera, read the weather forecast before you go, and most importantly, have a great time!
Paris Climate
The Queen awaits you!
We
lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know
the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep.
