SCHOOL TOUR 2017
Barcelona
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please keep this and bring it with you on the tour
IN GENERAL
Mr. Hegarty is in charge of First Aid for the 2017 Tour. If any student has any special medical condition or medicinal requirements please bring them to the attention of Mr. Hegarty prior to the tour.
It is extremely important that all students are punctual at all times. This includes leaving Donegal Town, and when returning to the coach after excursions. Please remember that the tardiness of one or two students may impact on the whole group of students and could even affect the whole itinerary of the group. It should also be noted that there are times when the coach simply cannot wait because of parking restrictions at busy tourist locations and operate a set-down and pick-up service only.
Please remember to bring your passport with you!! Upon arrival in Spain all passports will be collected on the coach and retained by Ms. Cunningham and Ms. Connolly. This is done for security and safekeeping. It should also afford all students peace of mind and give them one thing less to worry about.
Ms. McPartlan has all Health Insurance cards and these will be returned to you after the tour.
Please note and save the following school mobile phone number which Mr. Leyden will be using for the duration of the tour:
00 353 87 4024 224
This can be given to parents in case of emergency or could be used if you do get separated from the group and get lost etc.
If you are intending to bring your mobile phone with you it may be advisable to top it up with credit before you depart. It may be more difficult and expensive to do this when abroad. It might also be a good idea to check if any of the mobile phone operators has special or cheaper rates when using your phone abroad. Visiting a local store or checking the website might save you money. Regardless of which company you use, it should be noted that it is more expensive to make and receive both texts and calls when abroad.
AT THE AIRPORT
http://www.aerlingus.com/travelinformation/baggageinformation/
https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/help-centre/faq-overview/Baggage
There are also very strict regulations relating to the contents of this bag. The following are not allowed (a full list is available on the Dublin Airport website)
http://www.dublinairport.com/at-airport/airport-security/
Scissors; Sharp Objects including razors; Liquids including bottles of water, perfume or aftershave; Make-up such as lipstick or mascara; Contact lens cleaner unless under 100ml; Hair gel; Aerosols such as hair spray, deodorant or antiperspirant; Shaving foam; Toothpaste; Lip gloss; Medicines over 100ml. All of these items are prohibited and will be confiscated by Airport Security. If a person does need to carry medicine under 100ml, it must be placed in a transparent plastic bag and shown to security. Please inform Mr. Hegarty in advance.
AROUND THE CITY
Please remember that the traffic in Spain WILL NOT STOP. Students are accustomed to traffic stopping for them on the Diamond in Donegal Town but this same courtesy will not be afforded you in Spain. This is particularly difficult and dangerous when a group of 90 is crossing a busy road. Please use common sense and do not assume that traffic will stop.
On the first day you will have a guided tour of Barcelona, one of the most iconic cities of the world. Please be courteous and give the guide your attention for the duration of this tour. You will have ample opportunity for talking to each other over the remainder of the tour. It is a simple courtesy and the tours are actually interesting and informative!!
Please note that the coaches are to be kept clean. Drivers on the continent are very strict about this. The tour group will rely heavily on the drivers (and their cooperation) over the four days and we want to keep the drivers onside. Seatbelts are provided and must be worn at all times.
Students are reminded that while the weather in Spain will be slightly warmer to that in Donegal it can be quite cool in the evenings. Students are advised to bring a jacket with them. If it is warm on a particular day it can be left at the hotel or on the coach.
All students are also encouraged to bring a good pair of walking shoes or runners. There is a lot of walking on the tour and common sense should prevail. A pair of flip-flops, flimsy sandals or heels is impractical not to mention painful. Please do not over pack. It is only a three night trip and not an expedition!!
While Spain is a beautiful and safe country it should be noted that tourists in tourist districts are sometimes targeted by street-traders, con-men and pickpockets. These people will try to sell you cheap souvenirs which are sub-standard and which may break soon after purchasing them. You are advised not to buy anything and to be very firm but polite in saying no. Do not engage in conversation or you will be followed and surrounded by a group of these people. They work in teams and this may include a pickpocket.
Please take very good care of your personal items. Watch out for each other and guard against pickpockets. Also, the most common problem is people losing these or leaving them behind in restaurants, toilets etc. Be careful of carrying large sums of money and when you do carry money divide it into small amounts which you may then place in a number of pockets to lessen the chance of all of it getting lost or stolen. Please do not leave large sums of money behind in the hotel room. Each room is equipped with a safe and we strongly advise you to use them (a small charge usually applies). Alternatively, you may put your money in an envelope with your name and the amount written on it and a teacher may put it in their safe for safekeeping.
Students will have an opportunity to do some shopping while on the tour. Please do not do all of your shopping on the first or second day. Budget for the four days and look for bargains. Remember when buying items that you have to carry them and transport them home!
When shopping, you may notice replica guns, knives, cap pistols, catapults etc. Please do not buy these as you are wasting your money. These items are inappropriate. Furthermore, they cannot be brought through airport security for obvious reasons (nor posted home!). On previous tours these were thrown away at the airport or confiscated and left behind at the hotel. If teachers find these or have reason to suspect a student possesses one of these items, then the bag or room may be searched and the item removed permanently.
When out walking please stay in groups of three or more. Your tour will be more enjoyable with your friends but will also be safer. There is less chance of getting lost when in a group. If you notice someone on his/her own please invite the person to join the group for the duration of the walkabout. It will greatly increase their enjoyment of the tour and it is worth remembering that the tour is also about meeting and making new friends. No-one likes to see someone isolated and alone and not enjoying the tour.
AT THE HOTEL
Hotel Details:
To be confirmed closer to departure.
Please note the name of the hotel and its telephone number. This may be important if you get separated from the group.
FINALLY
The teachers hope that the students all have an enjoyable and memorable tour. The above information is all common sense and provided to improve your experience. ENJOY!
Barcelona
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please keep this and bring it with you on the tour
IN GENERAL
- Respect
- Alcohol
- First Aid / Medical
Mr. Hegarty is in charge of First Aid for the 2017 Tour. If any student has any special medical condition or medicinal requirements please bring them to the attention of Mr. Hegarty prior to the tour.
- Punctuality
It is extremely important that all students are punctual at all times. This includes leaving Donegal Town, and when returning to the coach after excursions. Please remember that the tardiness of one or two students may impact on the whole group of students and could even affect the whole itinerary of the group. It should also be noted that there are times when the coach simply cannot wait because of parking restrictions at busy tourist locations and operate a set-down and pick-up service only.
- Passports
Please remember to bring your passport with you!! Upon arrival in Spain all passports will be collected on the coach and retained by Ms. Cunningham and Ms. Connolly. This is done for security and safekeeping. It should also afford all students peace of mind and give them one thing less to worry about.
- Health Insurance
Ms. McPartlan has all Health Insurance cards and these will be returned to you after the tour.
- School Number
Please note and save the following school mobile phone number which Mr. Leyden will be using for the duration of the tour:
00 353 87 4024 224
This can be given to parents in case of emergency or could be used if you do get separated from the group and get lost etc.
- Mobile Phones
If you are intending to bring your mobile phone with you it may be advisable to top it up with credit before you depart. It may be more difficult and expensive to do this when abroad. It might also be a good idea to check if any of the mobile phone operators has special or cheaper rates when using your phone abroad. Visiting a local store or checking the website might save you money. Regardless of which company you use, it should be noted that it is more expensive to make and receive both texts and calls when abroad.
AT THE AIRPORT
- Please ensure that you arrive at the school in plenty of time for departure at TBC. The times have been carefully calculated bearing in mind the long delays that may occur at Dublin Airport at the busiest time of the morning.
- Follow the teachers to the check-in desks and queue in an orderly manner for the check-in process. Having checked in, take care of both your passport and your boarding card. You will require both for the security checks you will encounter.
- Please note carefully both the flight number and the departure gates for your flight. Keep a close watch on the information screens and the direction signs.
- Please remember that there can be lengthy delays at the security checks particularly in the morning rush hours. It is advisable to allow plenty of time to proceed through these and indeed to go directly to these passing through to the Departure area immediately.
- Baggage – For those who have paid for checked-in luggage the allowance is for ONE bag. This bag must not exceed 15KG. Any person checking in more than one bag will be charged an additional cost by the airline both on the outgoing and on the return journey even if the combined weight is less than 15KG.
- Please do not take stereos, musical instruments (guitars) or other such items. These will cost extra, will have to go in the cargo hold with the other bags and may get damaged. It is only a short trip!!
- In relation to carry-on luggage students may take ONE bag onto the plane. Students who have checked-in luggage are also permitted one carry-on bag. There are strict limits regarding the size and weight of the bag. It must not exceed 55cmx40cmx20cm in size and 10KG in weight. Please see Aer Lingus and Ryanair websites for full details;
http://www.aerlingus.com/travelinformation/baggageinformation/
https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/help-centre/faq-overview/Baggage
There are also very strict regulations relating to the contents of this bag. The following are not allowed (a full list is available on the Dublin Airport website)
http://www.dublinairport.com/at-airport/airport-security/
Scissors; Sharp Objects including razors; Liquids including bottles of water, perfume or aftershave; Make-up such as lipstick or mascara; Contact lens cleaner unless under 100ml; Hair gel; Aerosols such as hair spray, deodorant or antiperspirant; Shaving foam; Toothpaste; Lip gloss; Medicines over 100ml. All of these items are prohibited and will be confiscated by Airport Security. If a person does need to carry medicine under 100ml, it must be placed in a transparent plastic bag and shown to security. Please inform Mr. Hegarty in advance.
- Please retain both your passport and boarding ticket after passing through security. They will be needed for boarding the plane and will also be needed on arrival at Barcelona airport for security checks.
AROUND THE CITY
- Traffic
Please remember that the traffic in Spain WILL NOT STOP. Students are accustomed to traffic stopping for them on the Diamond in Donegal Town but this same courtesy will not be afforded you in Spain. This is particularly difficult and dangerous when a group of 90 is crossing a busy road. Please use common sense and do not assume that traffic will stop.
- Guided Tour
On the first day you will have a guided tour of Barcelona, one of the most iconic cities of the world. Please be courteous and give the guide your attention for the duration of this tour. You will have ample opportunity for talking to each other over the remainder of the tour. It is a simple courtesy and the tours are actually interesting and informative!!
- Coaches
Please note that the coaches are to be kept clean. Drivers on the continent are very strict about this. The tour group will rely heavily on the drivers (and their cooperation) over the four days and we want to keep the drivers onside. Seatbelts are provided and must be worn at all times.
- Clothing and footwear
Students are reminded that while the weather in Spain will be slightly warmer to that in Donegal it can be quite cool in the evenings. Students are advised to bring a jacket with them. If it is warm on a particular day it can be left at the hotel or on the coach.
All students are also encouraged to bring a good pair of walking shoes or runners. There is a lot of walking on the tour and common sense should prevail. A pair of flip-flops, flimsy sandals or heels is impractical not to mention painful. Please do not over pack. It is only a three night trip and not an expedition!!
- Safety
While Spain is a beautiful and safe country it should be noted that tourists in tourist districts are sometimes targeted by street-traders, con-men and pickpockets. These people will try to sell you cheap souvenirs which are sub-standard and which may break soon after purchasing them. You are advised not to buy anything and to be very firm but polite in saying no. Do not engage in conversation or you will be followed and surrounded by a group of these people. They work in teams and this may include a pickpocket.
- Money / Wallets /Purses/MP3’s/Phones
Please take very good care of your personal items. Watch out for each other and guard against pickpockets. Also, the most common problem is people losing these or leaving them behind in restaurants, toilets etc. Be careful of carrying large sums of money and when you do carry money divide it into small amounts which you may then place in a number of pockets to lessen the chance of all of it getting lost or stolen. Please do not leave large sums of money behind in the hotel room. Each room is equipped with a safe and we strongly advise you to use them (a small charge usually applies). Alternatively, you may put your money in an envelope with your name and the amount written on it and a teacher may put it in their safe for safekeeping.
- Shopping
Students will have an opportunity to do some shopping while on the tour. Please do not do all of your shopping on the first or second day. Budget for the four days and look for bargains. Remember when buying items that you have to carry them and transport them home!
When shopping, you may notice replica guns, knives, cap pistols, catapults etc. Please do not buy these as you are wasting your money. These items are inappropriate. Furthermore, they cannot be brought through airport security for obvious reasons (nor posted home!). On previous tours these were thrown away at the airport or confiscated and left behind at the hotel. If teachers find these or have reason to suspect a student possesses one of these items, then the bag or room may be searched and the item removed permanently.
- Groups
When out walking please stay in groups of three or more. Your tour will be more enjoyable with your friends but will also be safer. There is less chance of getting lost when in a group. If you notice someone on his/her own please invite the person to join the group for the duration of the walkabout. It will greatly increase their enjoyment of the tour and it is worth remembering that the tour is also about meeting and making new friends. No-one likes to see someone isolated and alone and not enjoying the tour.
AT THE HOTEL
Hotel Details:
To be confirmed closer to departure.
Please note the name of the hotel and its telephone number. This may be important if you get separated from the group.
- Please remember that you will not be the only group staying at the hotel. Thus, the group must stay quiet in the corridors and follow the directions of the hotel staff and management.
- If there is a problem with your room upon checking in, bring it to the attention of the teachers or hotel staff. Do not leave any damage unreported. On the morning of your departure, the hotel may carry out an inspection of the rooms and any damaged items could be charged to the room occupants.
- For obvious reasons students cannot stay up all night or be moving from room to room. This would cause too much noise and disruption in the hotel. Consequently, teachers will be patrolling the corridors at night to ensure students stay in their rooms (Teachers are also required to do this for insurance purposes). If there is noise teachers may require admittance to rooms regardless of the gender of the occupants. The tour is very tiring for both students and teachers and students are asked to cooperate with teachers in this regard.
FINALLY
The teachers hope that the students all have an enjoyable and memorable tour. The above information is all common sense and provided to improve your experience. ENJOY!