Eurocation

Explore these websites for European tour packages.  Consider how these tour packages meet the needs of different types of customers.  What do the itineraries look like?  How many days?  Describe the accommodations.  What sorts of tourist attractions are included?  Transportation?  Are meals included in the packages?  What is the main destination city?  Other destinations?   These sites will give you some ideas for planning your itineraries.

http://www.roadtotravel.com/
http://www.goaheadtours.com/
http://www.our-dream-vacation.com/
If you are curious about cruise vacations you could also check out this site:
http://www.cruiseholidayscalgary.com/Welcome.html.

Your clients wish to travel from Vancouver to a destination in Europe.  These are their choices: 
Paris, France
Rome, Italy
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Athens, Greece
Brussels, Belgium
London, England.

Each group will be assigned one destination and will work together to find all of the important information required to plan your client’s journey.  After exploring the existing tour packages above, get together with your group to decide the approximate dates and duration of your client’s trip (one to two weeks).  Don’t forget to schedule some free time for your clients to choose their own activities and restaurants.  Each group member will take on one of the following jobs:
Travel Documents, Safety and Currency Consultant
Airline, Transportation and Accommodation Consultant
Tourist Attractions Consultant
Restaurant and Food Consultant
Languages and Culture Consultant
Each Consultant’s job is described below along with important internet links.  Once each Travel Consultant has gathered their information, you will need to meet with your group and collaborate (see All Consultants at the bottom of this page).

Travel Documents, Safety and Currency Consultant
The following links to Consulate sites for each country will help you plan your itinerary.
You can organize your information in point form, graphs, spreadsheets, mind maps or ?...
Be prepared to share your results with your group of Travel Consultants.

What your group will need to know:
What is the current currency in your country?  What was the former currency?  How does it convert into Canadian dollars (your counties currency=how many Canadian dollars)?  What is a Visa?  What travel documents are required to enter your country?  Do these documents cost anything?  How long does it take to get them?  Are there any safety concerns when travelling to your country?  Can you drink the water there?  Do you need to get any shots before travelling to this country?    What are traveler’s cheques?  How can your client get them?  Provide details.

- Paris, France
French Consulate in Canada:  http://www.consulfrance-toronto.org/spip.php?rubrique2

- Rome, Italy
Italian Consulate in Canada:  http://www.constoronto.esteri.it/Consolato_Toronto

- Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dutch Consulate in Canada: http://www.cgvancouver.org/homepage.asp

- Athens, Greece
Greek Consulate in Canada: http://www.grconsulate.com/isto/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

- Brussels, Belgium
Belgium Consulate in Canada: http://www.diplomatie.be/montreal/default.asp

- London, England
British Consulate in Canada: http://ukincanada.fco.gov.uk/en/

The following link to The European Union site which has information about all of the above destinations will also help you.  http://europa.eu/
You may also need to explore the Canadian passport site:  http://www.ppt.gc.ca/index.aspx?lang=eng

Airline, Transportation and Accommodation Consultant
The following links to Canadian airline sites will help you plan your itinerary.
You can organize your information in point form, graphs, spreadsheets, mind maps or ?...
Be prepared to share your results with your group of Travel Consultants.

What your group will need to know:
Find accommodation that is suitable for your clients ($150-$300 in Canadian funds).  State the price.  You will need to talk to your group Travel Documents, Safety and Currency Consultant to find out the currency conversion into Canadian dollars.  Describe the accommodations.  Where is it located?  What is the exact address?  Is breakfast included?  What airline is most cost effective for your client’s trip (your clients will be flying economy class)?  What is the price?  What time is the flight?  How long in advance do your clients need to arrive at the airport?  Is there a connecting flight?  How long will your clients need to wait if there is a connection?  Are meals provided on the flight?  If not, how do you order and pay for meals?  How will your clients get to and from the airport to your hotel of choice?  How much does it cost? 

http://www.aircanada.com/en/us/home.html
http://www.airtransat.com/
You will also need to check out the Tourism site for your country listed below to plan transportation to and from the airport and accommodation for the duration of your client’s stay.  The European Union site which has information about all of the destinations will also help you.  http://europa.eu/

Tourist Attractions Consultant
Restaurant and Food Consultant
Languages and Culture Consultant
The following links to Tourism sites for each country will help you plan your itinerary.
You can organize your information in point form, graphs, spreadsheets, mind maps or ?...
Be prepared to share your results with your group of Travel Consultants.

Paris, France:  http://www.francetourism.com/

Rome, Italy:  http://www.italiantourism.com/

Amsterdam, Netherlands:  http://us.holland.com/

Athens, Greece:  http://www.grconsulate.com/isto/

Brussels, Belgium:  http://www.visitflanders.us/index.php

London, England:  http://www.visitbritain.ca/

You should also check out the Consulate links under Travel Documents, Safety and Currency Consultant for further information about each country.  The European Union site which has information about all of the above destinations will also help you.  http://europa.eu/

Tourist Attractions Consultant

What your group will need to know:
What are the tourist attractions that your client will visit (at least 5)?  Describe them.  Provide some variety.  You do not want your clients to visit just museums.  How much does each attraction or activity cost?  You will need to talk to your group Travel Documents, Safety and Currency Consultant to find out the currency conversion into Canadian dollars.  What are the hours?  Are there specific tours involved?  Is there a tour guide?  How will your clients get to and from the attraction?  How much will it cost?  You will need to talk to your group Airline, Transportation and Accommodation Consultant to find out which accommodation they have chosen.  Will your clients visit cities other than your main city of arrival?  Ensure that it does not take all day to get to these other locations.  Remember, your clients need to get back to their hotel at night.  Provide a list of attractions that your clients can visit on their free time.  Give a brief description of each one.

Restaurant and Food Consultant

What your group will need to know:
What are the traditional foods of your country?  Drinks?  Desserts?  Describe them.  Are there outdoor food markets near your client’s accommodations?  Supermarkets or grocery stores?  You will need to talk to your group Airline, Transportation and Accommodation Consultant to find out which accommodation they have chosen.  What restaurants will be included in the itinerary for dinner (at least 5)?  How much does a typical meal cost at each restaurant you have chosen?  You will need to talk to your group Travel Documents, Safety and Currency Consultant to find out the currency conversion into Canadian dollars.  How will your clients get to the restaurants?  How much will it cost?  Provide a list of restaurants and markets that your clients can visit on their free time.  Give a brief description of each one.

Languages and Culture Consultant

What your group will need to know:
What are the languages spoken in your country?  Find out how to say some basic phases in your country (Hello. Goodbye. Thank you. Where is a bathroom?  How much does it cost? Where can I get food?)  What are the major customs and traditions of your country?  Are there traditional costumes?  Music?  Dances?  Describe them.  Is it appropriate to give gratuities in your country?  If so, how much?  You will need to talk to your group Travel Documents, Safety and Currency Consultant to find out the currency conversion into Canadian dollars.  Do you tip drivers?  Hotel clerks?  Restaurant staff?  Tour guides?  Are there any other culture specific societal norms that your clients should know about?  (ie: Should you shake hands with people you meet?  Is it appropriate to look someone right in the eye?  Is it rude to turn down a gift or an invitation?)  Describe any important social cultural behaviours. 

All Consultants
Once each Travel Consultant has gathered their information, you will need to meet with your group and collaborate to design an itinerary.  What does each day look like?  How much will it all cost in Canadian dollars?  You will decide together how to organize your itinerary.  Be specific.  Do not leave out any details.  Be prepared to share this with your teacher.  Use your itinerary to create a poster or brochure for your client and possible future clients.  Use pictures and graphs and text and give lots of details.  Be prepared to present this finished product to the class.