2021 Eaglecrest Spain & France Program

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2021 Eaglecrest Spain and France Program! You are currently on the Pre-Enrollment webpage, the purpose of which is to share exciting highlights and important info that participants will want to know before signing up. If you enroll, you'll begin using the Post-Enrollment webpage, which offers a greater level of detail. Please be sure to review the information thoroughly and get excited for our European sojourn!!

Travel Dates:	March 13, 2021 - March 22, 2021 Dates are tentative until airfare confirmed
Group Organizer(s):	Lisa Farley [email protected]
WTT Contact:	Luke Mueller [email protected]
Program Tuition:	$2,690 USD Airfare not included in program tuition
Estimated Airfare:	$1,250
Deadline(s):	Enrollment deadline forthcoming

Account Program Blog Pre-Enrollment Page

What to Expect

Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.

Itinerary

We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.

Day	Location	Description	Lodging
March 12	USA	Fly to France!	Airplane
March 13	USA - Paris	Fly to Paris and meet your Smithsonian Student Adventures leader at the airport. We will check into our accommodations and get settled. You'll spend the remainder of the day the Montmartre District including the incredible Sacré Cœur. From there we will stroll to the Place de Clichy and onwards to take pictures in front of the Moulin Rouge . We will have dinner in the area and then go back to our accommodations for a good night’s rest.	Hotel in Paris
March 14	Paris	In the morning we'll visit the Louvre first thing and you will have your chance to see the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and many other amazing works of art. After the Louvre we’ll take a brief walk, weather permitting, in the Tuileries gardens. From there, we will head up to the Opera and admire the beautiful Palais Garnier. From there we’ll grab the metro and head over to the Marche des Enfants Rouges food market where travelers will be able to wander independently to find lunch on their own. From there we’ll have two options open to travelers : either a visit to the catacombs or for the art lovers a second round of museums, with a visit to the Musee d’orsay. The group will reconvene at a neighborhood cafe to catch their breath before we take a stroll up to the Marais for dinner. Then, off to bed, to rest up for another busy day!	Hotel in Paris
March 15	Paris	Today we will take the RER just outside of Paris to see the palace of Versailles, one of the most opulent palaces in the world, with gardens equally as beautiful. We'll enjoy a nice picnic in the gardens and you'll also get the chance to visit the historic Hall of Mirrors - the treaty of Versailles was signed here, ending World War I. We'll take the RER back into Paris and get out at the Champs de Mars to see the Eiffel Tower up close. We'll walk over to see Les Invalides and continue along the Seine to head back towards our accommodations to eat dinner.	Hotel in Paris
March 16	Normandy (Caen, Bayeux)	In the morning we'll depart by bus or train for Caen, Normandy, arriving at the Atlantic coast by early afternoon. Once on the beach, travelers will have two choices for the first half of their day : they can opt to bike along the D-Day beaches with stops at the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, and Utah Beach to learn about the events that led to the Allied victory in World War II OR for those more interested in learning the history in detail, can spend that time in the Omaha Beach Museum. We’ll all come back together for lunch at a nearby restaurant and then head off to the medieval city of Bayeux for the evening where we’ll have dinner, take a walk around to appreciate the medieval feel of the city and spend the night.	Hostel in Bayeux
March 17	Normandy (Bayeux, Mont St. Michel Bay)	After breakfast at the hostel, we will take a look at the famous Bayeux Tapestry from the 11th century, which depicts William the Conqueror’s conquest of England. Then we’ll hit the road, traveling southwest toward St. Malo. We’ll take a guided tour of the Mont St. Michel, an enchanting island monastery. We’ll stay in the Mont St. Michel bay for the evening, lodging in a renovated farmhouse. In the evening, we’ll take a guided sunset hike on the bay .	Hostel in Mont St. Michel Bay
March 18	Brittany (St. Malo)	We’ll depart the Mont St. Michel Bay in the morning and continue toward St. Malo. On the way, we’ll stop at a dairy farm learn about the artisanal production and regional importance of the cheese industry in northwest France. We’ll arrive in the walled port city of St. Malo in the early afternoon where we will have some free time to have lunch, check out the inner city and explore the oceanfront. In the evening we’ll head back to Paris and check into the hostel for some sleep on our last night in the city of lights!	Hostel in Paris
March 19	Paris - Madrid	Today we'll catch a flight from Paris to Madrid! Upon arrival, we will make our way to our accommodations before embarking on a photgraphic scavenger hunt to orient ourselves to our new surroundings. In the evening we will get our first taste (of many) Spanish tapas!	TOC Hostel
March 20	Madrid	Today we'll visit the Prado museum, one of the most impressive art museums in the world. In the afternoon we'll stroll through the Retiro Park, once the king's personal refuge, and enjoy churros con chocolate along the old winding streets. This evening, we'll walk around the Santa Ana Plaza as well as the San Miguel Market and get our first taste of Spanish tapas.	TOC Hostel
March 21	Madrid	For our final day in Madrid, we may visit the Royal Palace, the Temple of Debod and the West Park or visit the famous Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, depending on what students are interested in. We'll have our last traditional Spanish meal tonight to cap off an excellent program!	TOC Hostel
March 22	Madrid - USA	On our way home, ¡hasta luego!	Your own bed, eventually!

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Accommodations

In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe. We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability.

TOC Hotel Madrid

TOC is a spacious and hip hotel located in the heart of Madrid, just minutes away from the metro and major tourist attractions. This is a modern and hi-tech hotel with a friendly staff and a great breakfast! Travelers will have their own beds, distributed between double, triple and quadruple rooms.

Learn More

FIAP Jean Monnet

More than just a hotel, this international youth accommodation also functions as a conference center, a cultural venue, and a space to meet up with friends from all over the world. A truly unique experience for students in Paris. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

Learn More

Group Flight

Type	Carrier Name	Carrier Code	Flight Number	Departure City	Departure Date and Time	Arrival City	Arrival Date and Time
Outbound	Lufthansa Airlines	LH	447	DEN – Denver International Airport, Denver, USA	June 1, 2020 at 5:30PM	FRA – Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Germany	June 2, 2020 at 11:05AM
Outbound	Lufthansa Airlines	LH	1128	FRA – Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Germany	June 2, 2020 at 1:15PM	BCN – Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, Barcelona, Spain	June 2, 2020 at 3:15PM
Inbound	Lufthansa Airlines	LH	1029	CDG – Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France	June 14, 2020 at 10:30AM	FRA – Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Germany	June 14, 2020 at 11:45AM
Inbound	Lufthansa Airlines	LH	446	FRA – Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Germany	June 14, 2020 at 1:25PM	DEN – Denver International Airport, Denver, USA	June 14, 2020 at 3:40PM

Once your flight has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.

Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.

Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.

We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.

Host Community and Project Details

Packing List

What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.

“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.

Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.

CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :

Underwear
Socks (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
T-shirts (some quick dry)
Long sleeve shirts
Sweaters or sweatshirts
Warmer jacket
Warm hat
Scarf
Warm gloves
Rain jacket
Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
Comfortable, everyday pants
Nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions)
Durable athletic/walking shoes
Sandals (optional)
Hat

TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:

Two rapid COVID tests. Program Leaders will carry additional tests and will also administer the one to be verified by a medical professional within 24hrs of return to the US.
Face masks
Sunscreen
Band Aids and Neosporin
Hand Sanitizer
Medication in properly marked original container

MISCELLANEOUS:

Sunglasses
Journal and pen
Book
Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
Power Converter
Alarm Clock and watch
Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
Durable water bottle
1 quick-dry towel
Flashlight/headlamp
Batteries
Deck of cards or other portable games
Student ID

Support Team

At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional support staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find a list of the team members involved in the planning, organizing, and leadership of your program.

Kelsey Shawgo

Spain Country Director

Loyola University of Chicago – B.A. Spanish, Minor in Psychology

Born and raised outside of Chicago to two avid travelers and teachers, Kelsey has always had a passion for exploration and education, which also led to an interest in language. In fact, her first jobs and volunteer opportunities were as an assistant teacher, translator and interpreter. The opportunity to attend a youth leadership conference in Cuba and a study abroad semester in Spain during university cemented her desire to start a life abroad. She has been living in Madrid for ten years and is currently teaching English to Nursing and Physical Therapy students at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas. In her spare time, you can find her exploring new places with friends and family, doing yoga everywhere she can, listening to too many podcasts and desperately trying to add more languages to her repertoire.

Sarah Hofmann

France Country Director

Carnegie Mellon University – B.A. Francophone Studies and Anthropology
Columbia University – M.A. Cultural Studies

Born in Tokyo, Sarah was raised in an Ecuadorian-American family in Singapore, Paris and the D.C. suburbs. Basically, she had no choice: she was going to be an implicated world citizen whether she liked it or not. After finishing a self-defined undergraduate major in Francophone literature, Anthropology and Painting – with a semester-long stint in Bamako, Mali squeezed in – she continued to study, travel and work in the francophone world. Since completing her undergraduate studies she has lived in the French antilles, worked in Haiti, completed a Masters in Paris, braved the mean streets of NYC, and taught French in Dakar, Senegal. She has now landed in Bordeaux in the south of France where she has learned that biking along the Garonne River can, in fact, give a person a whole other take on life.

Luke Mueller

Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO

[email protected]

Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History

During college, Luke spent a semester living and traveling in rural Mexico. His experience sparked a fascination with Latin America and a commitment to community service that continues to this day. Upon graduating from college, he joined WorldTeach and lived with a local family in a small village in Costa Rica while teaching elementary English. After this experience, he moved to San José, the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and wrote for The Tico Times newspaper. Luke has since traveled to over 60 countries on five different continents. Now settled in Denver with his family, he continues to crave massive helpings of rice and beans.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

Blog and Communication

During travel we will work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blogs and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, giving parents a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will receive an email notification when the first blog is posted, after which we recommend you check in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this page.

Beyond this proactive approach to communication during the trip, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants semi-regular access to WiFi so you can also expect to communicate with your traveler directly. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

GLC Curriculum

Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.

For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.

Learn More About the GLC

To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.

Pre-Program Activity Portal

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is important that we create an environment of trust, security and respect. All individuals participating in our programs are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of behavioral conduct.

ABSOLUTE DISMISSAL

Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
Associating with participants while they are in possession of, or are consuming, or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety.
This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE

Getting a piercing or tattoo.
Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
Breaking group rules.

These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend visiting the CDC website for Spain and the CDC website for France to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination countries. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.

Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.

Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training retreat. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.

We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on the link below.

To provide families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.