2024 SMA France Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 10, 2024 - June 19, 2024 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,990 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,981 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
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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 10 | USA - Paris | The group will departe the US and take an overnight flight to Paris | Airplane |
| June 11 | Paris | Today you will arrive in Paris where you'll meet your program leaders at the airport. Upon arrival the group will check into the hotel, leave luggage at storage and do the orientation meeting. We will have time to freshen up and head out for a walking tour in Montmartre,one of the most charming neighborhoods in Paris. Also known as the painter's corner. It's small, steep streets constitute a network that connects of the city's oldest cabarets to the surroundings of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. We'll check out some of the most well-known corners of the neighborhood, including the the Bateau Lavoir and the Cafe au deux Molins famous for the movie Amelie. In the evening we will eat at a local restaurant and head back to the hotel. | Citadines Montmartre Paris |
| June 12 | Paris | This morning we visit one of the most important museums in the world: the Louvre! Inaugurated in 1793, it boasts a collection of more than 300,000 pieces. We'll start early to miss the worst of the crowds. Afterwards we will have a picnic at the Tuileries garden. After eating we will walk to The Musée de l'Orangerie is an art gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.We will walk and admire Place de la Concorde in Paris. We will take the metro to go back to our hotel where we will have dinner in the area. | Citadines Montmartre Paris |
| June 13 | Paris - Versailles | After breakfast we will leave to Versailles Palace. This one of the most visited French sites in Paris, for its architecture, its gardens and above all for its history. Symbol of the absolutist power of the French monarchs and especially of Louis XIV, the main architect of what is today the Palace and its Gardens. We will have a picnic lunch at Versailles before heading back to Paris. In the afternoon, we will head towards the “Champs de Mars”, where we can continue taking photos and admire the Eiffel Tower. We will then have dinner before boarding the metro to head back to our hotel. | Citadines Montmartre Paris |
| June 14 | Paris | In the morning we'll visit the world famous Musee d’Orsay and get the chance to see Van Gogh's famous Starry Night and many other amazing works of art. Afterwards, we walk along the river and stop for a picnic lunch before going to the Opera and admire the beautiful Palais Garnier. We will have dinner in the area and then go back to rest for the day. | Citadines Montmartre Paris |
| June 15 | Paris | We’ll start the day by taking a metro to see the Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of medieval art that is still recovering from a devastating fire; We will then cross to the Rive Gauche to spend some time at Shakespeare and Co., Shakespeare and Company was founded in 1951 An American serviceman, George Whitman. We will then stop by a boulangerie to buy our lunch and have a picnic lunch at the the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens. We will continue our walking tour at the Latin Quarter; the Sorbonne; We will enter the Pantheon of illustrious men where we can visit Napoleon's mausoleum is located; The afternoon will be an excellent chance to do some (window) shopping at one of the most exclusive shopping districts in the world; Champs-Élysées. We'll visit and climb the Arc de Triomphe and then take teh metro to board a Seine river cruise. We'll have dinner at a restaurant near our hotel before heading back a good night's sleep. | Citadines Montmartre Paris |
| June 16 | Paris - Caen | In the morning we'll depart by bus towards Bayeux, Normandy, arriving at the Atlantic coast by early afternoon. Once on the beach, students would have the chance to bike or stroll along along the D-Day beaches, stopping at the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, and Utah Beach to learn about the events that led to the Allied victory in World War II. We'll have a picnic along the way. In the afternoon, we will take a look at the famous Bayeux Tapestry from the 11th century, which depicts William the Conqueror’s conquest of England. Afterwards, we’ll have dinner at the town before going back to our hotel. | Grand Hotel du Luxembourg/Hotel du Brunville and Spa |
| June 17 | Caen - St. Malo | After breakfast, 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. Then we will leave to St. Malo, where we will find our hotel before going out for a walk inside this medieval town and dinner before ending the day. | Hotel l'Univers |
| June 18 | St. Malo - Paris | Today we will visit a marine farm at Cancale and learn about the importance of those industries in northwest France. Then, and will have have a picnic lunch and walk the inner city and explore the oceanfront. In the afternoon we’ll head back to Paris by bus and check into the hostel where we’ll stay for our last night in Paris. | Citadines Montmartre Paris |
| June 19 | Paris - USA | Today we head to the airport for our flight back home. Bon voyage! | Your own bed, eventually! |
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.
Citadines Montmartre Paris
The Citadines Montmartre Paris is located in a residential area in Paris near Place de Clichy at the foot of the Butte Montmartre. It offer furnished studios and rooms, just a 10-minute metro ride from the Champs Elysées. Its apartments are equipped with private bathrooms area and some of them have balconies. Citadines Montmartre Paris has a rooftop terrace that provides a view of the city. Citadines Montmartre Paris is just 200 metres from the Moulin Rouge and 1 km from the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. The property is a 15-minute metro ride from the Gare du Nord and Saint Lazare Station.
Grand Hôtel du Luxembourg
Grand Hôtel du Luxembourg is ideally located in the centre of Bayeux, near the Museum of the Bayeux Tapestry, and few kilometers away from the D-Day’s beaches. Rooms at the Grand Hôtel du Luxembourg are comfortable and well-equipped with modern amenities. This 17th-century mansion has been converted into a charming hotel with an outdoor heated pool which are accessible all year round.
Hôtel de l’Univers St. Malo
Built in 1850 the l’Univers has seen stage-coaches, adventurers, wars, pirates, sea-farers and multiple historical events. Located within the walled city of Saint Malo and facing the castle Hôtel de l’Univers will offer the perfect retreat for our group. This three star hotel is located just 50 meters from the beach and all rooms come with Wifi and air conditioning.
Hotel De Brunville
Hotel De Brunville offers comfortable and well-equipped rooms with modern amenities. A continental buffet breakfast is available every morning at Hôtel De Brunville. It is ideally located in the centre of Bayeux, near the Museum of the Bayeux Tapestry, and few kilometers away from the D-Day’s beaches. It offers an outdoor heated pool, a jacuzzi and a sauna which are accessible all year round.
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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631
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DEN – Denver International Airport, Denver, United States
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June 10, 2024 at 05:45 PM
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CDG – Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France
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June 11, 2024 at 11:05 AM
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Inbound
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Air France
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AF
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630
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CDG – Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France
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June 19, 2024 at 01:30 PM
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DEN – Denver International Airport, Denver, United States
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June 19, 2024 at 03:35 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 travelers. 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
- T-shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Shorts
- Rain jacket
- Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
- Comfortable, everyday pants
- Nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals (optional)
- Hat/s
TOILETRIES:
- Your basics
- Sunscreen
- Basic first aid
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Passport
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book/s
- Camera
- Spending money (we recommend about $100-$200, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- Sense of adventure!
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.
Harriet Docena
France Country Director and Program Leader
Harriet caught the travel bug early in her life. Born in the Philippines, with 7,107 islands, both of her parents are avid travelers. Most of their weekends and holidays were spent roadtripping and traveling to new places. After finishing her degree in Fashion design and merchandising, she realized that the fashion world was not for her. That’s why in 2006, she left her job and worked as a photographer on cruise ships. For years, she traveled the world to places such as the Caribbean, Alaska, South America, Europe, the Mediterranean, Hawaii, and Asia. After working and traveling nonstop, she decided to choose a place where she can stay put and have a “normal life”. In 2010 she was lucky to be awarded a “skills and talents” visa in France and chose Paris to be her new home. Harriet is also an avid surfer which brought her to different surf spots and exotic locations around the world. As of this moment, she has visited 80+ countries and around 500+ cities. She doesn’t think she will ever stop traveling. Nowadays, you can find Harriet traveling around Europe, obsessed with her chihuahua and surfing when the European waters are not that cold.
Malaïka Nikiema
Program Leader
University of Montpellier, France. Health Biology/ Molecular and Cellular Biology
Malaïka, hailing from a background split between Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and the outskirts of Paris, has woven a global narrative since her graduation. Her journey includes a two-year stint in Norway for the United World College program, followed by seven transformative months in Brazil with Global Citizen Year. After a brief interlude in the US, she settled in the south of France, dedicating herself to studies for the past three and a half years. For Malaïka, travel serves as the ultimate classroom, offering insights into both herself and others. A passionate advocate for social justice, her interests and hobbies span the realms of cooking, reading, exploring new languages, delving into history, and championing social justice causes. With a goal of discovering at least two new countries every year, Malaïka finds solace in the enriching tapestry of diverse cultures. Fluent in both French and English, she adeptly navigates conversations in Portuguese, Spanish, and Bassa—a language spoken in Cameroon. Beyond her cultural pursuits, Malaïka proudly wears the badge of a geek, being a devoted Potterhead and anime enthusiast.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Allyson Martinez-Castillo
- 2 Alondra Rodriguez
- 3 Ashley Gonzalez
- 4 Ava Safavi
- 5 Bonnie Herman
- 6 Corinne Sasine
- 7 Currie McKinnon
- 8 Dafne Rivas Quijada
- 9 Darya Safavi
- 10 Emily Stanley
- 11 Gabriella Saucedo
- 12 Isabela Hilario
- 13 Jazlin Rodriguez
- 14 Lauren Anderson
- 15 Madeleine Pallotta
- 16 Marlen Chavez Paz
- 17 Matilda Bauer
- 18 Mia Williams
- 19 Millicent Harry
- 20 Miranda Parra
- 21 Violet Higgins
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.