Flight information - please read.

I've been in contact and have the information on the flights, but before I release that info to the group, I need to get everyone's opinion on something.

On the trip home, we'll arrive in Detroit at 8:30 p.m. on the 21st. Due to airlines trying to cut costs, the number of short domestic flights is being cut - especially those to smaller airports. What that means for us is that the next flight out of Detroit to Grand Rapids does not leave until 9:30 a.m. on the 22nd. EF would put us up in a Detroit hotel for the night, and we'd arrive in GR around 10:30 on the 22nd. When I heard that, I immediately called EF to ask if there was any way to change this plan - I know that amny of you need to be home on the 21st as planned and that for some a morning pick-up could be tough. I also know that most of us won't feel like spending the night in Detroit.

EF realized the problem and has been working with me to fix it. Here's the deal.

Option 1: If things stay as they are, we'll get in on the morning of the 22nd, with a night in Detroit. There will be no extra cost to anyone.

Option 2: EF could arrange to cancel the last leg of the flight and get us a bus transport to DeWitt High School on the night of the 21st. We'd arrive at DeWitt high around 11-11:30 p.m. EF would have to pay for the bus and would have to pay 34 cancelation fees with the airline - the coast to each person for this option would be $36.

Option 3: Not really an option - students could arrange their own transport home from Detroit, and would have to pay for the cancelation fee at both the airline and the hotel - I don't have a cost on this, but it would not be cheap.

So, the choice is this - no extra cost with a Grand Rapids pick-up on the 22nd, or $36 with a DeWitt pick-up late on the 21st. We will have to decide as a group, since we can only choose one option or the other.

I hate to put this out so late in the game. I know that I promised no "hidden" fees or nickel and diming. I just want to do what's best for the whole group in this instance. I'll be calling on Sunday evening to get everyone's opinion on this, and we'll go with the majority vote.

I'll also post the other flight info in a bit.

JVH

Lean on me

Check out this article from the Times of London about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Looks like the building will still be there when we arrive, thankfully.

Jet Lag Tips

Here's an interesting article on beating jet lag. We'll have our flight info soon, and as you look at the itinerary, you'll see that there are some long travel days on either end of the trip. Beating jet lag is a key when it comes to getting the most out of your travel experience.

The best tip I can offer you is "Sleep east, wake west." What that means is try to get as much sleep as possible as we travel east (towards Italy) and try to stay awake as much as possible as we head west (towards home). Doing that, and abiding by the London Daily Telegraph's advice to not eat on the long flights, will help you adjust as quickly as possible once we land.

Calling Cards

If you haven't already, you should soon be receiving the EF calling card in the mail. Each traveler has 5 free minutes on the card with the option of adding more via the internet. The cards have simple to follow directions to make calls home when we are abroad. They also have a perforated section to leave with parents detailing how to call overseas and leave a voice mail message. This is how we connected with home on our last trip and it worked very well. Read the card when you receive it and decide whether you want to use it. If so, put it in a safe place to ensure you don't misplace it before the trip.

Great Spanish Restaurant

Last weekend my wife and I were in Grand Rapids and we had a great time a new restaurant down town. The place is called San Chez Bistro and it emphasizes traditional Spanish food called tapas. I know that it's a drive, but if you'd like a taste of the food we'll find in Barcelona and Madrid, I highly recommend this place. If anyone knows of good Spanish restaurants a bit closer to home, let me know and I'll post it here.

Roommate and Pal Request Forms

We are beginning the process of creating group, roommate, and pal lists. If you have not turned in your request forms, please give them to Mr. Van Hof by the end of this week (Friday, May 9). If you do not turn in a request form, your placements will be made without your input and you will be expected to respect those decisions. Thanks.

Medical info

Many people wonder about the need for vaccinations and other medical attention prior to travel. The good news about our trip to Italy and Spain is that both nations we'll be visiting are developed, modern western societies with strong health care programs. Health care facilities in both Spain and Italy are considered to be some of the best in the world, and civil services are well developed, meaning that tap water is safe to drink and contagious diseases are as rare as they are in the U.S.

However, The U.S. Government does recommend giving some thought to your personal health prior to any foreign travel. In general, the months before a major trip are a good time to be sure that all your vaccinations are up to date. Talk to your doctor about any boosters that you may need. This is particularly important for teens, as often they are due for physicals and vaccinations more frequently than adults. Click here for general vaccination-related travel tips from the Centers for Disease Control.

Click here for health related info specific to Spain.

Click here for travel-related info specific to Italy.