ACTIVITY
3
FRUGAL
OR FRIVOLOUS?
STUDENT
PAGE
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GROUP GUIDELINES:
Ø Restate task and group’s final destination.
Ø Review framework and procedures previously established.
Ø Reiterate group responsibilities.
Ø Review designated assignments for airline reservations, lodgings, tourist/cultural attractions, food expenses, and ground/land travel fees.
Ø Reexamine and revise deadlines if necessary.
Ø Use the Internet to locate information.
Ø Use Excel to organize and display information.
Ø Reconvene to set agenda for next meeting.
AIRLINE
ACCOMMODATIONS: COMFY OR CRAMPED?
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Time
Travel:
Ø Consider time zones differences when booking airline reservations.
Ø If you plan ahead and book in advance, you’ll save big bucks on airline tickets. Many airline companies offer special rates for advance bookings. But don’t take my word for it; find out for yourselves.
Ø Discuss the type of tickets that you’ll book – first class, business class, or economy/coach. Determine the best airfare after locating the information on the internet. Create a comparison chart on Excel for each airline to your destination. Find the cost of a roundtrip flight that departs in a week, two weeks, three weeks, one month, two months, and three months. Calculate the cost of tickets for your family. Some airlines have special rates when you book online.
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AIRLINE
ONLINE VENDORS:
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AIRLINE
LINKS:
Ø
Aerlingus:
http://flyaerlingus.com
Ø
Air
France: http://airfrance.com
Ø
American
Airlines: http://aa.com
Ø
British
Airways: http://britishairways.com
Ø
Continental
Airlines: http://continental.com
Ø
Delta
Airlines: http://delta-air.com
Ø
Iberia:
http://iberia.com
Ø
Lufthansa:
http://lufthansa-usa.com
Ø
Northwest
Airlines: http://nwa.com
Ø
Sabena:
http://sabena.com
Ø
SAS:
http://scandinavian.net
Ø
United
Airlines: http://ual.com
Location is an important consideration. Do you want to stay in the heart of the city, where you can walk to many sites and/or hop on a bus or tube/train? Or do you want to stay in the outskirts, where you might be forced to rely on taxis/hired cars or buses that might not run as frequently as those in the city? Perhaps a bed and breakfast or an apartment or condominium rental might be better suited for your family. Determine the type of lodgings that will meet your family’s needs. Calculate expenses for at least five lodgings.
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Do
you want to stay in a hotel – a luxury hotel (5 or 4 star hotels), a
moderately priced hotel suite, or a hotel efficiency suite with a kitchenette?
Ø
What
is the rate per night?
Ø
Are
there any discounts for reservations for five nights or more?
Ø
Are
there any special promotions available?
Ø
Are
there any discounts for families with children?
Ø
Is
breakfast included in any of the hotel plans?
Ø
Is
the lodging centrally located and within walking distance to many cultural
attractions and institutions?
Ø
Which
credit cards are accepted?
Ø
Is
the rate payable in USDs, the Euro, or the national currency?
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LODGING
LINKS: These
links are good sources for rates and special packages and deals. Also use the
suggested links from Initial
Investigations.
Ø
http://aolsvc.travel.aol.com
Ø
http://dfw.net/~morris/indexhtml
Although you might intend to walk to many of the cultural and tourist attractions, at times public transportation might prove to be more expedient.
¨ Investigate fees for local buses and the tube/ subway/train/rail. What are the fees for adults and children? How often do you intend to use public transportation? Are discount passes available – day or weekly? Where can these tickets be purchased? Are schedules and maps available?
¨ Inquire about car rentals so that you can provide your parents, who drive, with information on the rates – daily and weekly - for five companies. What are the local gas/petro prices per litre? Gasoline prices are quite high in Europe. Additionally, an International Driver’s License might be required.
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SUBWAY/RAIL LINKS: These
links provide information on subway systems in European cities and the rail
system in Europe.
Ø
Subway Navigator: http://subwaynavigator.com
Ø
http://odyssey.on.ca/~europrail
EPICUREAN
ENDEAVOURS OR FOOD FOR THE FAMISHED
Food is an important cultural component but it can be quite costly or inexpensive. One needs to provide fuel for the body, especially when one is sightseeing and on-the-go. Furthermore, since you are traveling during the summer months, remember to drink fluids, especially bottled water.
¨ If breakfast is included in the hotel plan, estimate expenses for lunch and supper for the family. Do you plan to eat a hearty breakfast, to skip lunch, to eat a snack, and to eat a substantial supper?
¨ Are you renting an apartment or staying in a hotel efficiency suite with a kitchenette? Will the family eat all its meals at home or will you go out for dinner/supper? How often will you eat in a bistro, café, or restaurant?
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TIPS:
Ø
Remember
to make allowances for travel time and time zones.
Ø
Bear-in-mind
that the $5,000 budget is inclusive and that credit card charges, which are
accumulated during the trip, must be deducted, as are all the other expenses,
from the balance.
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GUIDEBOOKS: These
guidebooks have online sites and provide much information on art,
architecture, excursions, history, lodgings, shopping, sightseeing,
restaurants, walks, … Check out a copy of one these or any other guides at
your local library.
Ø
Fodor’s: http://fodors.com
Ø
Frommer’s: http://frommers.com