Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Contacts and Last-minute Suggestions

You should receive an email from Dr. Hartnett with emergency cellphone numbers for the group while we're in Europe. There are 866 (toll-free) numbers you can use if you have to reach us, although you can also call the hotels directly.

We'll update the blog when we arrive to let you know that the trip went well. If you'd like your child to contact you as well, please talk to him or her about that before we go. It will be easy enough for us to take a quick email break on the first day. We'll be six hours ahead in Rome, seven in Athens.

There's still time to finish last-minute preparations, but not much. This is a very busy week at school with the play, tests, quizzes, papers, basketball and hockey games, and spring tryouts. If you need help with anything, please let us know.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Weather and Packing

Our arrival day is on the ten-day forecast at weather.com
and you might want to look before you pack. Rome will be in the 60s most days, although it could get into the 70s. Athens will be at least that warm. We recommend that people pack clothing they can layer as the weather will change during the day and we won't go back to the hotel until dinner or later.

It will probably rain at some point and it is important to have either a waterproof jacket or an umbrella. We haven't ever had downpours on the trip, but a spring shower or two is almost certain.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Travel Plans


We met as a group last night to discuss some details about our trip, including information about allergies, passports and luggage. The guidelines on luggage have changed recently and information is available on the Massport website. Two important changes are the rules about liquids in carry-on bags and the screening of all checked bags. Everyone needs to read these before we go.

As they pack, students need to remember that they will be responsible for their own luggage and need to be able to carry it themselves.

We confirmed with everyone that they will come with us to Logan Airport on March 3 in a bus from St. Mark's. We should arrive there just before 4PM and spend some time checking in. Everyone needs to be picked up on March 14.

We also reminded everyone that all St. Mark's rules apply while we are away, including rules about alcohol, tobacco, security and parietals.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Alitalia


All of our flights will be on Alitalia for this trip, both back and forth to the US and between Italy and Greece. The airline's website does allow you to follow our flights, as do many flight-tracking sites. Our departure is just three weeks away!

If you still have your child's passport, we would like to collect copies of the first pages to keep with us, just in case. One of the chaperones will have passport copies, medical forms and a cellphone at all times. We'll collect passport information from students next week.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

About money

As we move closer to our departure, several people have asked about how students should bring spending money. This has gotten far easier recently, but we do have some suggestions.

  • Students only need spending money for snacks and shopping. All trip costs, including meals and the occasional gelato, are included. Most students should be fine with $100-$200, depending on how much shopping they plan to do.
  • The easiest and safest way to bring money is to get a prepaid credit card through Visa or American Express. You can load money onto the card and students can use them in stores for purchases and at ATMs for cash. They can also be reloaded from home should the need arise.
  • Students can also bring traveler's checks. While we're in Rome and Athens, they will be able to use them at stores and exchange them for cash at banks, the American Express offices and exchange stores.
  • American bank cards work in Italian and Greek ATMs so some people choose simply to get money this way while they travel. This is easy, but presents the same risks having a bank card at home does (full access to all of your account at any time.) If you do choose this option, please check with your bank that they participate in a network available in Italy and Greece and that your PIN will work in European ATMs.
  • You should notify your banks and credit card companies about your travel plans. Many review foreign transactions and will decline charges overseas until they have confirmation that you really are in Europe. They'll note the dates and locations so that they'll know they can approve your charges.

Dr. Hartnett, Ms. McCann, Mr. O'Donnell and I will be there to help students navigate this, but haing a good understanding before they travel about money (how they use it and how much they can spend) is important.