2024 Mullen United Kingdom Program
| Travel Dates: | January 9, 2024 - January 18, 2024 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,490 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,285 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 9 | USA | Board your overnight flight across the Atlantic, destination London, England. | Airplane |
| Wednesday, January 10 | USA - London | Welcome to London! Your Walking Tree Program Leader will pick you up at the airport. We will start your London walking tour once you are settled and explore The Strand, Trafalgar Square, the Benjamin Franklin House, the Houses of Parliament, and the River Thames. In the afternoon, we'll visit the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Opened in 1856, the Portrait Gallery was the first in the world. Of its 195,000 portraits, most famous is the Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare. | Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington |
| Thursday, January 11 | London | This morning we start with a hearty English Breakfast in the hotel to get ready for the day. Then we travel to St. Joseph’s College to meet with students and faculty from a London-area Lasallian school. Afterwards, it's lunch with the locals at Borough Market, one of the oldest markets in the world - in 2014, it celebrated its 1,000th birthday! In the afternoon, we’ll have a guided tour of the Globe Theater a world-renowned theatre, education centre, and cultural landmark associated to William Shakespeare. We will tour the theater and then focus on the Romeo and Juliet play in our practical drama workshop. | Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington |
| Friday, January 12 | London | Today we start with the iconic Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. After the changing of the guards, we will explore Tate Modern, one of the largest art museums in the world and home to the British national collection from 1900 to the present. After a well deserved lunchbreak will visit the Tower of London, entering through thick defensive walls and looking behind the imposing stony facade. Henry Vill banished two of his wives to this former prison, where Guy Fawkes also spent his final days. But the Tower's most famous occupants--the Crown Jewels--still reside here today. On the tour, we will behold this jaw-dropping collection of ornate rings, scepters, swords, and royal vestments. We will venture outside for a walk through the courtyard, where we can admire the four distinctive turrets rising out of the White Tower. Keep an eye out for the Tower's famous ravens: legend states that the kingdom will fall if any of the six resident ravens ever leaves the Tower Grounds. For dinner, we'll enjoy an authentic meal of fish and chips. | Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington |
| Saturday, January 13 | Oxford, Stafford-Upon-Avon and the Cotswolds Villages | Today, we depart London for the English countryside. We'll take a bus out to beautiful Oxford, where we'll have time to walk through the oldest university in the English-speaking world. We continue to Stratford-upon-Avon, a small market town on the River Avon, and home of Shakspeare! We'll visit his birthplace, walk through the home he grew up in, and explore town. Finally, we head to the picturesque Cotswold Villages, where we'll see the quintessential English countryside. In the evening, we return to London. | Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington |
| Sunday, January 14 | London | After an early breakfast we will head to Westminster Abbey to celebrate mass and marvel at the interior of this World Heritage Site. After mass, we are off on a literary adventure for the ages. Among the many places we'll explore are the homes of Evelyn Waugh, William Blake, lan Fleming, George Orwell, PL. Travers, Robert Louis Stevenson, M. G. Wells, Sigmund Freud, T. S. Eliot, and more! This afternoon, we will explore the British Museum. An experience unlike any other, we will have the opportunity of see thousands of the more than 8 million objects in the collection. Most notable are the Rosetta Stone, casting stones from the original Great Pyramid of Giza, and the Parthenon marbles from the Acropolis in Athens. Time permitting, we'll also head to Charing Cross Road, where you can visit Foyles, the world's first purpose-built bookshop, which opened more than 100 years ago. | Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington |
| Monday, January 15 | London - Edinburgh | Say goodbye to England - this morning we board a national rail train in London, and by the time we get off, we're in a whole new country: Scotland! Welcome to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Today we'll explore the Royal Mile, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in the afternoon, we'll head to Calton Hill and the National Monument of Scotland. From here, you can overlook all of this historic city, and out to the North Sea! | Grassmarket Hotel |
| Tuesday, January 16 | Edinburgh | This morning we are in for a treat! Have breakfast at the Elephant House, where J. K Rowling wrote the Harry Potter novels. This cafe still serves up a great meal, and you can see where she got her inspiration when you look through the windows at our next destination: Edinburgh Castle. Sitting atop a huge rock in the center of the city, Edinburgh Castle sits on land occupied since at least the Iron Age. Today, the castle and surrounding buildings date from the 12th century, and overlook the entire city to the sea. We'll see the Scottish Crown Jewels, dungeons that held American POW's from the Revolutionary War, and much more. After lunch, we will visit the National Museum of Scotland, where you'll have time to explore thousands of artifacts spanning millennia. | Grassmarket Hotel |
| Wednesday, January 17 | Stirling | Today, we are off to the Scottish countryside. We'll take a national rail train through lush green fields to the town of Stirling. Stirling is renowned for its advantageous geographical position - it sits on the River Forth at its lowest bridging point, connecting north to south. As such, it is often noted that "he who holds Stirling, holds Scotland. Since the 13th century, the castle has served as a palace for the royal family, prior to unification with England, and as a military outpost as well. The Battle of Stirling Bridge took place at the river here, famously depicted in the movie Braveheart. After exploring this ancient castle, we return to Edinburgh for our final evening in the United Kingdom. | Grassmarket Hotel |
| Thursday, January 18 | Edinburgh - USA | This morning we enjoy our final Scottish breakfast, head to the airport, and depart for home. | 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.
Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
This hotel is located within a 3-minute walk from Kensington High Street and within easy reach from the shops and restaurants of Knightsbridge and Notting Hill. Rooms here feature TVs and in-room safes. All are en-suite and feature coffee and tea making facilities. Free WiFi is available in all areas. The hotel has a restaurant, a cafe, include, a conference centre and a fitness room. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.
Grassmarket Hotel
Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh is conveniently is in the lively and historic Grassmarket area and located nearby Edinburgh Waverley Rail Station and the Royal Mile. It offers stylish rooms with plasma-screen TVs and wall-sized magnetic maps. In-suite bathrooms are fully equipped and feate a rainfall shower. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
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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United Airlines
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UA
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27
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DEN – Denver International Airport, Denver, United States
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January 09, 2024 at 05:35 PM
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LHR – Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom
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January 10, 2024 at 09:40 AM
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Inbound
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United Airlines
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UA
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37
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EDI – Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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January 18, 2024 at 09:25 AM
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EWR – Newark International Airport, Newark, United States
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January 18, 2024 at 12:25 PM
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Inbound
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United Airlines
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UA
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2046
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EWR – Newark International Airport, Newark, United States
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January 18, 2024 at 03:30 PM
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DEN – Denver International Airport, Denver, United States
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January 18, 2024 at 06:02 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
CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Warm jacket
- Warm hat
- Scarf and Warm gloves
- Rain jacket
- PJ’s
- 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)
- Comfortable athletic/walking shoes
- Hat
TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:
- Sunscreen
- Band Aids and Neosporin
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Small backpack to be used as a day pack
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Power Converter (UK uses type G, which is the plug that three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern)
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- 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 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.
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
Luke’s path to student travel began in Mexico, during a year abroad in Mexico and Central America. This formative time led him to join an international volunteer program which, after graduating from college, sent him to the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas in south-central Costa Rica. Welcomed by the loveliest of host families, his experience in this tiny town is directly connected to the beginnings of Walking Tree five years later. His love for travel still burns bright, and today he’s lucky to have a wife and daughter who are equally passionate about exploring the world. Settled in Denver, he adores his family and colleagues, skies whenever possible, and is a devoted fan of all Colorado 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.
University of Kansas – B.A. Latin American Studies; Global and International Studies, Minor in Brazilian Studies
Jordan hails from Kansas City where he spent his entire childhood. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, his first international experience would set the course for the rest of his life. After high school, he traveled to Guatemala where he began learning Spanish and cultivated a deep interest in everything Latin America. In college, Jordan spent almost half of his university career studying abroad in both Costa Rica and Brazil. In 2010, Jordan moved to Costa Rica for six years where he began his professional career teaching Portuguese to Costa Ricans and working with Walking Tree Travel. From Costa Rica he moved to Denver, Colorado and spent seven years traveling the USA and experiencing life as an adult in America for the first time. Jordan is trilingual and has traveled to more than 30 countries around the world. He currently lives in Lisbon, Portugal and enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, biking, spending time at the beach and cooking Middle Eastern food.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Adam Joas
- 2 Brody Harber
- 3 Casey Reinert
- 4 Casey Reinert
- 5 Christina Dickerson
- 6 Favian Fuentes Loyola
- 7 Grayson Carrington
- 8 Grayson Carrington
- 9 Gretchen Feldkamp
- 10 Hannah Brod
- 11 Isaac Hockin
- 12 Julia Hurtado
- 13 Liam Cook
- 14 Luke Banko
- 15 Matthew Martinez
- 16 Noah Naiman
- 17 Noelle Carrington
- 18 Noelle Carrington
- 19 Patricia Finney
- 20 Samantha Loyola
- 21 Violet Mulqueen
- 22 Wesley Rogers
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 United Kingdom 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.