2023 Glenbrook France Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 25, 2023 - July 5, 2023 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,490 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,276 |
Important Reminders
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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 abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 25 | USA - Paris | Today we will cross the Atlantic and land tomorrow... | Airlplane |
| June 26 | Paris | Today, we will arrive in Paris and meet your program leaders at the airport. We will check into our accommodations and get settled. You'll spend the remainder of the day in the Montmartre District enjoying the quaint mood of the neighborhood -the bustle of its shops, restaurants and historic points of interest - before climbing up the hill to enjoy the incredible view and interior of the Basilica of Sacré Cœur. Afterwards we'll have dinner in the neighborhood and then slowly make our way back to our accommodations for some much-needed sleep. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| June 27 | Paris - Versailles | Today we will take a bit of a break from the city center and take the RER commuter train out of Paris to see Versailles, one of the most opulent palaces in the world constructed by King Louis XVI, with gardens equally as beautiful. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch 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 and take a break on the lawns of the Champ de Mars before going to dinner in a bistrot nearby. We'll then head to the Bateau mouche at Pont d'Alma after sunset to see just how stunning Paris is by night! From there we'll get to bed to rest up for another busy day to come. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| June 28 | Paris | With so much to see in Paris, we'll spend most of the day visiting monuments and amazing sites. The morning will be an excellent chance to do some (window) shopping in one of the most exclusive shopping districts in the world, The Champs-Élysées. Along the way, we will stop at Ladurée to taste their macarons, France's world-famous sweet treat. We will continue making out way to the Arc de Triomphe, once there we will climb all the way to the top to get another perspective on the city. Next we'll continue on to the We'll move on to the home of the current French President - the Palais de l'Élysée , where we'll enjoy the beautiful view from outside followed by a quick trip to the beautiful Tuileries Garden. We'll finish our day with a visit The Louvre Museum. On our wat to dinner we will catch a glimpse of the pont des Arts and notice Notre Dame Cathedral. We'll have dinner at a restaurant nearby and from there we'll head back to our hotel for a well-earned night's sleep. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| June 29 | Paris - Normandy (Giverny) | In the morning we'll get out of the city once again via a short train ride to see Monet's famous home at Giverny and have our first taste of the French countryside. We will get to visit the Impressionist museum as well as the inside of Giverny itself, where Monet lived during some of his most prolific years. After that we'll enjoy local cuisine in a nearby restaurant leaving the rest of the afternoon for walking and lazing in the magnificent gardens that surround the artist's former home. On arrival in Paris we'll have some down time to relax at the hotel before dinner nearby and an early night before the long travel day to come! | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| June 30 | Paris - Normandy (Mont St. Michel Bay, Granville) | We'll take the train this morning bright and early north to the region of Normandy to visit the celebrated Mont St Michel monastery where we will get to see medieval architecture in all its glory. We'll drop our bags at the bag check for the day and have lunch inside the castle walls. We'll take a tour of the famous Abbey and its ramparts and then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the ups and downs of the winding streets and the views on the Mont St Michel Bay. We'll grab our bags and head back to the train station where we'll head to the nearby town of Granville for the night. We'll check into our accommodations and have dinner in town before tucking in for the night. | Centre Regional De Nautisme De Granville |
| July 1 | Normandy (Granville) | This morning we'll take a hired bus to a nearby artisanal goat farm where we'll get to see how the cheese is made and, for those interested, get a taste of the real thing made on the premises. We'll have lunch either there or back in Granville upon our return. We'll then be able to spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town, walking the beaches (depending on the tides), and generally enjoying the sea town life. We'll have dinner in town and rest up for another train ride and intense day tomorrow in Bayeux! | Centre Regional De Nautisme De Granville |
| July 2 | Normandy (Bayeux) | In the morning we'll depart by bus or train for Bayeux arriving at the Atlantic coast before lunch. Once in Bayeux, we’ll drop our bags at our hotel, and meet our guide for a picnic lunch and ride along the D-Day beaches, taking in the view from Gold Beach and its cliffs while learning a bit more about the events that led to the Allied victory in World War II. At the end of the afternoon we'll have a much-needed snack in town to regroup at the hotel and head into Bayeux to enjoy the medieval feel of the village for the evening. We’ll have dinner in town and then settle into our lodgings for a good night's rest. | Hotel Campanile Bayeux |
| July 3 | Normandy (Bayeux) - Paris | After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we will go to see the famous Bayeux Tapestry from the 11th century, which depicts William the Conqueror’s conquest of England. We'll have lunch before getting back on the train and heading back to Paris. We'll check back into our accommodations, have a little down time and then head back out to explore the Rue Montorgueil, the oldest market street in Paris and then we'll end the day with a typical dinner and get to bed at a good time to be ready for another busy day to come. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| July 4 | Paris | On the last morning back in Paris we'll hit the ground running with a quick breakfast at the hotel and then a tour of the Musee D'orsay that once served as a train station but today houses an impressive collection of older works but most predominantly nineteenth and early twentieth century art. We'll then head over to explore the finest of what French gourmet take-away looks like at Le Bon Marche. We'll then head over to the Jardins du Luxembourg to people-watch and enjoy the goodies we've found at the market for lunch. From there we'll be back on our feet on a tour of the Saint Sulpice church, the medieval Latin Quarter and then up past the ile Saint Louis. We'll have some free time to explore on our own, finally ending the day with a last dinner in the neighborhood before heading home in the morning. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| July 5 | Paris - Usa | Today we will head to the airport for the flight home. Bon Voyage! | Your own bed! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Meininger Hotel Paris Porte de Vincennes
Centrally located in Paris, this hotel features a shared lounge, terrace, and free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk for guests. Guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom with free toiletries and a shower. Each room includes bed linen and towels. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.
Centre Regional de Nautisme de Granville
Centre Regional de Nautisme de Granville is conveniently located and offers rooms for 4, 3 or 2 people with views of the sea, spread over two floors. Rooms have a complete bathroom for two bedrooms (shower, WC, washbasins). The accommodation also offers free wifi, an on-site restaurant, a lounge with a panoramic view a large lawn for groups to have activities.
Hotel Campanile Bayeux
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure Airport & City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival Airport & City | Arrival Date and Time |
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Outbound
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Air France
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AF
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153
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ORD – O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, United States
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June 25, 2023 at 05:10 PM
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CDG – Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France
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June 26, 2023 at 08:10 AM
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Inbound
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Air France
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AF
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136
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CDG – Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France
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July 05, 2023 at 01:10 PM
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ORD – O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, United States
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July 05, 2023 at 03:10 PM
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Once your flight schedule 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.
Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT!
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
- Underwear
- Shorts
- 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:
- Sunscreen (you will use a lot)
- Mosquito repellent
- 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
- Host family gift
- STUDENT ID
- French/English Dictionary
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 staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Gabriel Duncan
Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO
Colby College – B.A. International Relations and Government
While at Colby, Gabriel spent a semester in Spain at the University of Salamanca studying contemporary Spanish politics and Spanish language. He also lettered for four-years on Colby’s lacrosse team and earned All-American honors. After graduating, Gabriel hit the road. He fished commercially in Alaska, taught in Chile and China, led programs for students in Spain and Costa Rica, and traveled to over 50 countries and all 50 states in the USA. Regardless of where Gabriel is located, he is constantly haunted by his naive faith and unconditional love for Denver sports teams.
Earlham College – B.A. International Studies, Minor in Economics
Born and raised in Guatemala in a big family, JP spent seven years living and studying in the U.S., where he was exposed to highly diverse communities. He worked as a Wilderness Leader guiding expeditions across the American Southwest and later attended Earlham College in Indiana after completing the International Baccalaureate in New Mexico. His passion for international affairs led him to study abroad in China and travel extensively throughout Asia and beyond. To date, JP has visited 33 countries, often combining travel with service projects and cultural immersion experiences. Today, he is based in Costa Rica and works full time with the Walking Tree team. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, art and design, hosting friends and travelers, and planning road trips across Costa Rica and Latin America.
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.
Alexandre Rehbinder
Program Leader
California State University, Northridge – B.S. Management; Bard College – MBA in Sustainability
Born and raised in Los Angeles to a hard-working French-American family, Alex developed a diverse set of skills to contend with the world. During his bachelor’s degree, he mentored high school robotics teams in Southern California as a F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Ambassador. After college, Alex co-founded a secondhand fashion business and moved to Paris, France, where he began working at a law firm to support his entrepreneurial venture. Staying in touch with his roots, he took on a leadership role within a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering his fellow American expats. Living abroad and traveling have been critical to his development, and you will likely hear him say that “a fish does not know it is in water until you take it out.” He has since returned to school to complete an MBA in Sustainability in NYC and maintains a sustainable finance consultancy. He also maintains that the greatest obstacle to achieving something great is believing it can be done!
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Aayan Ali
- 2 Aditya Shah
- 3 Anika Nangia
- 4 Avery Paterson
- 5 Emma Jiang
- 6 Jada Pedersen
- 7 James Hogue
- 8 Jamie Ellinger-Macon
- 9 John Clark
- 10 John Tsonis
- 11 Jordyn Jacobs
- 12 Madeleine Hoffman
- 13 Mina Kim
- 14 Misha Maryan
- 15 Noah Osman
- 16 Nora Albee
- 17 Paige Gochis
- 18 Ryan Gershowitz
- 19 Scott Field
- 20 Siyona Patel
- 21 Winston Chu
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. 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.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of 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 France website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult 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 traveling.
Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about 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 comprehensive leadership training. 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 collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns 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 can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.
To provide travelers and 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 that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.