June+2012+Germany,+Italy,+Switzerland,+Paris+Trip

=__Announcements __= >> Zum Wildbad 2 >> Wemding 86650 >> Germany Rothenburg www.seebauerhotels.de/wildbadindex.php >> Rudolf-Vogel-Bogen 3 >> Munich 81739 >> Germany Munich +49 89 63 80 00 www.mercure.com >> Via Verdi, 73 >> Lido Di Jesolo >> (Venice) 30017 >> Italy Venice +39 0 421 971 631 www.hotelamalfi.it >> Axenstrasse 2 >> Brunnen/Lucerne CH-6440 >> Switzerland Lucerne 41 (41) 820 13 18 www.bellevuebrunnen.ch >> Pasadena Allee 4 >> Ludwigshafen 67059 >> Germany Heidelberg +49 621 5951440 www.hotelludwigshafen.bestwestern.de >> 36-38 Rue du Moulin >> Vanves 92170 >> France Paris +33 1 46 48 55 55 www.mercure.com >> >> >> Reminder: You are either a vegetarian or you're not. NO one can, in the middle of the trip, say "I want to be a vegetarian for the rest of the trip." Likewise, it is understood that if you are a vegetarian, you will get NO MEAT on the flights or in the hotels/restaurants when we eat as a group. >> >> Need passport copies from the following...if it is in transit, please make a copy as soon as you receive it: C. Berger, H. Getter, M. Lenahan, CJ Penzone, S. Ringer. Thanks! >> >> REMINDER: We are flying LUFTHANSA. Here are the facts you will need to know about luggage requirements: >> >> ONE CHECKED LUGGAGE PLUS ONE CARRY-ON ALLOWED ON THIS TRIP. One small personal item (for instance, a purse) is also allowed. >> >> CARRY'ON...18 pounds MAX...22"x16"x8" MAX dimensions >> >> CHECKED: 44 pounds MAX; 24-25" luggage recommended. >> >> REMEMBER...they will charge you quite a bit of money if your baggage is too big or too heavy on the way over OR on the way home. Make sure that you weigh it before you come to the bus that day! >> >> Now, let's see who really read all of this to the end! For a piece of cake...be the first to come to D114 and tell me the following (no emails or phone calls)...What was the name of the psychologist who was found floating in the lake behind Berg Castle with Mad King Ludwig? Remember, we're talking CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER ICING!!! >> >> >> >> It is a picture that I took 4 years ago from our hotel in Switzerland (taken from my balcony). This is the same hotel we will use this year. One of the BEST views from a hotel EVER! At this point, 3 of our hotels have been booked, and so far...both buses are together in all three hotels. I will share hotel info when we meet on June 6th...by that time, all will be confirmed. >> >> ** For those looking to buy luggage...go online and check out the Lufthansa site...they will have the weights and dimensions of the allowable carry-on and checked luggage. Remember, take the SMALLEST bag you can, and don't have the maximum weight on the way over! ** >> >> Our Tour Directors have been confirmed and I am very happy with both TDs who have been assigned to our trip. Have already been in contact with them. >> >> One final note...AFTER I asked you for the final payments (chartered bus, tips, etc.)...I found out that we will be arriving VERY early in Frankfurt, due to the fact that it is a direct flight. This is wonderful...because in the past, we have often spent most of this day in layovers. Because of our good fortune, we will be able to include a cruise down the Neckar River, and a stop at a town with a tour of castle ruins in that town. We need, however, to pay for this cruise and the bus to get us to an extra activity...I now know the total cost per traveler for that activity is $33. I'm asking that everyone bring this money as cash to the June 6th meeting in an envelope with the traveler's name on it. We will still have a lot of time to tour Rothenburg on that day. A cruise is the PERFECT first day activity, as it doesn't require a LOT of walking...and experience has shown that kids are tired on the first day. We want, however, to make the MOST of this experience...and don't want the kids to miss out on this activity! >> >> cortazzod@parklandsd.org -- any questions...please contact me! >> >> >> >> >> >> Thank you to all! >> >> >> >> The following owe money to Frau Cortazzo (checks made out to Diane Cortazzo). Please check your packet for explanation of these charges: >> >> Natalie Bader $196; Collin Berger $196; B. Bowermaster $196; Darian Briemann $196; Devon Briemann $196; Alec Dougherty $166; Hannah Getter $196; Nolan Hay $196; Matt Hornberger $196; Sarah Lundeen $196; Sam Malarchik $196; Larysa O'Neill $196; Laken Sherry $196; Payton Sherry $196; Gabriella Smith $196; Derek Soltis $196 >> >> >> John Connolly, Tim Harrington, Nolan Hay, Matt Hornberger, Katelyn Lucas, Tanya Mazsa, Larysa O'Neill, Payton Sherry, and Laken Sherry. >> >> Danke! >>> >>> >> >> 1. IF you are not on the monthly payment plan, you must be PAID IN FULL by March 3. Failure to do so will result in late fees and possible cancellation from the tour. >> >> 2. ALL students (or a parent) must call customer service 1 800 665 5364 to confirm that your name on the EF site matches your passport EXACTLY. Failure to do so by the due date will result in a $200 name change fee if the names don't match. >> >> 3. The state department requires that your passport be valid 6 months after our departure date. Please check your passports. By the way...make sure the kids SIGN their passports. >> >> 4. Not a US citizen? Check to see if you need a visa to travel with us. >> >> 5. MARCH 13 is an IMPORTANT meeting. Please bring copies of passports to that meeting. Room mate groups will be formed at that meeting...AND I will contact you shortly with other information of what you need to bring to the meeting. PLEASE check this wikispace periodically. >> >> 6. Any questions? Please email me at cortazzod@parklandsd.org DANKE!! >> >> Don't forget about the trip meeting on March 13 in the cafeteria at 7pm! >> >> 1. You are on the correct bus >> 2. You are listed correctly for Paris/no Paris >> >> it is important that you take care of this matter. NO COMPLAINTS later if information was incorrect online and you didn't bring it to my attention.
 * =**June 20, 2012 - HOTELS**=
 * 6/22/2012 6/23/2012 1,2 Gut Wildbad
 * 6/23/2012 6/25/2012 1,2 Mercure Neuperlach Sued
 * 6/25/2012 6/27/2012 1,2 Hotel Amalfi
 * 6/27/2012 6/29/2012 2 Hotel Bellevue au Lac Brunnen
 * 6/29/2012 6/30/2012 1,2 Best Western Ludwigshafen
 * 6/30/2012 7/3/2012 1,2 Mercure Paris Porte de Versailles
 * =**May 7, 2012**=
 * Let me know if you are a __VEGETARIAN.__ At this point, we have 5 who have told me they are vegetarians: V. Trask, B. Simock, S. Horn, S. Lundeen, D. Briemann. If you feel you did tell Frau, but you are not listed here, please email her at: cortazzod@parklandsd.org with that information.
 * =**April 24, 2012**=
 * View from Castle Dilsberg
 * [[image:images.jpg]]
 * Castle Dilsberg
 * [[image:4397998887_9c3c72f873.jpg]]
 * Neckar River Cruise
 * [[image:531.jpg]]
 * =**April 23, 2012**=
 * JUNE 6th meeting will be held in the AUDITORIUM!!!
 * NEW ACTIVITY: Neckar River Cruise and tour of the town of Dilsberg and Dilsberg Castle. Please bring $33 cash in an envelope to June 6th meeting. ABLE TO DO THIS BECAUSE OF OUR DIRECT FLIGHT TO FRANKFURT.
 * =**April 23, 2012**=
 * 62 days until our departure...
 * =**March 26, 2012**=
 * Flights for our group! Even though our flight leaves at 5:55 PM on June 21st, we will insist that students be at the high school NO LATER THAN NOON. We need to put labels on backs on passports, hand out passport holders, hand out envelopes, and get everyone squared away on their buses. We must plan for time to get to Newark, and at least 3 hours at Newark before departure. Remember, we are getting 100 through check in, baggage check in, and security...then to the gate. You will get more information about this at our final departure meeting on June 6th. ALL travelers and at least one parent for each traveler should be at that meeting. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
 * Flight Itinerary
 * [[file:Flight Itinerary.doc]]
 * As you can see, the entire group is on the same direct flight over to Frankfurt, and you are arriving early in the morning so you should be able to do the cruise! The flights back are obviously different based on the date, but everyone in each group is on the same flight
 * =**March 14, 2012**=
 * JUNE 6, 2012...FINAL DEPARTURE MEETING! 7PM Cafeteria
 * Campano and Dodson...Please come to D114 to get $30 refund on your over-payment. Spikol...you owe $16.
 * 32 owe Frau Cortazzo passport copies...please submit as soon as you have them!
 * The following students should hand in the medical form, district luggage search form, and phone contact form ASAP...
 * =**March 12, 2012**=
 * ==Important Dates:==
 * March 13...GIS meeting...Cafe. 7PM
 * June 21...confirmed departure date
 * June 22...Rothenburg
 * June 23...Munich
 * June 24...Neuschwanstein Castle/Oberammergau/Munich
 * June 25...Innsbruck, arrival in Venice
 * June 26...Venice
 * June 27...Verona; arrival in Lucerne
 * June 28...Lucerne/Mount Pilatus
 * June 29...Black Forest/Rhine Falls/arrival in Heidelberg
 * June 30...Strasbourg/arrival in Paris/12 leave for home: return of 12 travelers to Newark Airport
 * July1......Paris
 * July 2...Paris
 * July 3...Arrival back home: confirmed arrival date of 88 travelers
 * =**March 8, 2012**=
 * [[file:Meeting...Mar. 13.docx]]
 * [[file:2012 trip expenses.doc]]
 * =**February 27, 2012**=
 * IMPORTANT REMINDERS. Failure to follow directions, could end up costing you money.
 * =**January 25, 2012**=
 * An announcement will be made in school when pie forms are available for travelers on this June's trip. Students will be able to pick up the forms from their German teachers. Remember, the club will receive a portion of your profits, but you will receive most of what you make!
 * =November 15, 2011=
 * ALL students should check the spelling of their names on these charts. YOUR PASSPORT MUST MATCH IT. If you already have a passport, and your name is listed differently, YOU NEED TO CONTACT EF NOW TO CHANGE IT. After a certain date, EF is charged $100 to change your name on your ticket, so they pass that charge on to you. If you see that your name doesn't match your passport, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact EF Customer Service and take care of that. In fact, all travelers are asked to confirm their name by contacting Customer Service.
 * [[file:GIS Bus 1.docx]]
 * [[file:GIS BUS 2.docx]]
 * =**October 31, 2011**=
 * Students are reminded to stop by Room D114 to be sure that:
 * =**October 18, 2011**=
 * Pie forms are due this Friday, Oct. 21st. Remember ALL PROFITS go toward your personal account for this trip. Get out there and sell!
 * We have 102 individuals traveling on this trip! Announcements will be made in school for the next evening meeting...
 * ==**October 9, 2011**==
 * We have been able to add some students who have been on a wait list for this trip. Shortly upon my return to school, we will meet as a group to make sure students are on the buses they want.
 * Keep selling pies...remember the profit you make is YOURS!
 * If you are not on the monthly payment plan, check with customer service to see that you are up-to-date on your payments. You can put money toward this trip at any time. Those NOT on the payment plan will need to be PAID IN FULL by March. You need to take care of this ASAP!

>>> > == Ethan Bauer is the winner! ==
 * =September 16, 2011=
 * This year's momentous world events, particularly in the Middle East, have led to extreme volatility in fuel prices. Unfortunately, we are forced to pass any fuel surcharges on to our travelers.
 * Although oil prices have declined from their peak, the airlines have not responded by lowering their fuel surcharges. This is an unfortunate development that affects your group – and the travel industry as a whole.
 * We want to give you advance notice that your group’s current departure fee for your customized tour has increased by $198 and is now $530 . This new figure will appear on your travelers' accounts Thursday and we will send them an email at that time notifying them of the change.
 * We share any frustration you may have over this increase and want you to know that we are doing all we can to pressure the airlines to lower their surcharges. Departure fees rise and fall based on the airlines' own calculating of costs and, as always, if the airlines reduce this surcharge for your destination, we will update your account accordingly. se put on wikispace:
 * == May 19, 2011 ==

> > **1. Which History teacher from Parkland High School was the Group Leader of that tour?** > > **2. Which 3 cities/towns in Germany did Frau visit on this trip? Hints...first letter of the three cities are: B, P, K.** > > **3. While on tour in Germany, Frau had her picture taken in front of the East Side Gallery. What is the East Side Gallery and in which city is it located?** > =Students will receive materials Monday in German Class. Please read the instructions that accompany the forms. Please follow those instructions and adhere to due dates! This is your chance to earn more spending money for your trip. Students can also use some of the money they earn to help pay for tips or the chartered bus to the airport!=
 * May 19, 2011: Frau Cortazzo just returned from an EF trip (World War II and the Western Front). Answer the following questions to win a prize!
 * = TWO MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDRAISING FOR THE 2012 TRIP... =

> > Email your answer to Frau Cortazzo...be the first one to answer correctly and you'll win a prize!
 * Geschwindigkeitbegrenzung means SPEED LIMIT! Congratulations to our winner: Keri Nolt! :)
 * Geschwindigkeitbegrenzung...what does that word mean in English? Our bus driver would know!

> > The word means cogwheel railway...which is the way we will get to the top of Mount Pilatus in Switzerland. In fact, that cogwheel railway is the steepest one in all of Europe! Watch the site for other words and chances at other prizes in the future! Stay informed!!! > > **The word is:** __**Zahnradbahn**__ > You're about to SAVE SOME MONEY! **Each of you haved received a discount of $140!** Let me explain the reason... > > EF is running a special between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15....$200 off to anyone who signs up for a 2012 tour during those 6 weeks. They just increased the program fees at the end of October (ours went up $60...but you were all locked in at the 2010 price). Therefore, when I called EF to ask them to match this discount, they gave us a **BEST PRICE REDUCTION**, which means your total cost is now $140 less! That amount has already been deducted from your total bill. Good news!! > > More good news -- the PIE SALE...students went above and beyond and sold a bunch of pies...the TOTAL number of **pies sold -- 1,125** ! **TOTAL profit -- $6,036**! (A good portion of this profit will go to students who sold pies as a fundraiser for them to use on their individual Germany, Italy, Switzerland tours!)
 * Thanks to all who replied! Prizes are gone!
 * **First three people to tell Frau Cortazzo the meaning of the following word, will receive a prize.**
 * **Travelers and Parents!**

> >  All forms and payment MUST be submitted to the students' German teachers on that day. Anyone needing additional forms should see Frau Cortazzo ASAP. Those parents, who volunteered to help with fundraising (and who are available on Nov. 18 between 3 and 6PM) to help with distribution of the pies, should email Frau at cortazzod@parklandsd.org. Danke!
 * The pie fundraiser, which was provided for the travelers to earn spending money for this trip, ends next week... Nov. 3. Remember, we are hoping to see enough pies as a group to guarantee you $4.50 per pie profit!

> If there are any 2012 seniors or juniors who want to be on the opposite bus, please see Frau Cortazzo. Frau Cortazzo will speak to all 2012 sophomores, to be sure that they are put with their friends on the appropriate bus.
 * Frau Cortazzo will be dividing the group into the two buses later this week. At this point, it looks like Seniors on one bus, Juniors on the other, and sophomores split between the two buses.

= =
 * Please go to your account online to double-check that the fee for the Paris extension has been added to your PROGRAM FEE. If you did not opt for that extension, your PROGRAM FEE should be $2,150...if you did...then you should see $2,555 as your new PROGRAM FEE...I believe that your Autopay payments will be adjusted automatically. There are some people on the regular payment plan who are behind schedule. IF YOU ARE UNSURE, please contact CUSTOMER SERVICE...and they can help you with that. Payments go through EF, not through the group leader (Frau Cortazzo). So, any questions about payments and possible late fees, should be addressed through the company.
 * All students going on this trip will be permitted to fundraise for their own trip if they first sell 3 pies ($15 profit) for the club. We should be getting the profit of 45% per pie, which is amazing...since the pies are between $10 - $13 and are of a very good quality. Separate accounts will be kept for each student, so that they receive their own profits on the day of departure. I will need help from the parents who emailed me to join our "fund raising committee". There will be another email later with more details, when I have the date of "pie distribution". I know I will need parents to help organize that...and after this sale, we can have a meeting to discuss other fund raising possibilities.

=__Itinerary and Price List __= Please note that we have received the BEST price for the program fee and the extension (35+ people). = =

= = =__Participant List __= 

=__Calendar __=

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