Cost Update on 1-20-10 Woodsum’s History Tour 2010 Greetings! Our trip is approaching rapidly so we thought it time to get this booklet out to tell you some things. We are both quite excited about our trip and having a vacation away from our schedules. If we all come well prepared and ready to have fun and learn about other cultures, we’re going to have a GREAT time!

1-22-10 Friday During the day Optional theatre paper due 1-25-10 Monday During the day Optional theatre ticket money due 2-1-10 Monday During the day Final payment & Passport photocopy due 3-17-10 Wednesday During the day Document drop-off and pick-up

Final Payment Your final payment is due for the trip on Monday 2-1-10. Your check must be made out to ‘Virgin Vacations’. You must also pay for your travel insurance if you have not already done so. The trip cost is $2429 $2501. You have paid a deposit of $150 so you owe $2279 $2354. The trip insurance is $165. If you signed up earlier and did not pay you need to pay now. If you have decided you want insurance you can still sign up for it by 2-1-10 by filling in the form and paying for it. The increase of $75 is due to a fuel surcharge being assessed of $20 each way and a $35 weekend departure fee for our flight on Saturday. (If we had gone on Friday and returned on Sunday they would have charged us $70!)

Theatre Tickets Theatre tickets can be purchased now for virtually any show. The best time to go to a show would be on Monday evening, April 19th, the night of our first full day in London. You could go on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings but the timing would be tight with dinner at the Hard Rock or returning from our day trip to Salisbury. We think the best thing is for each of you to look online at the site listed below and see what show, if any, you would like to see. Talk to your friends going on the trip, or let us know what show you are interested in. If there are 12 people interested in the same show we can get the tickets about a third less by ordering as a group. If we all want to see different things we can order the tickets so you can sit together, or you can order separately. If you have us order you will need to give us a check right away. If you order online yourself you can pay with a credit/debit card, but be advised that there is a $5 mailing charge per order. The company we have used before and who is very reliable is, www.londontheatredirect.com. It looks like prices for a group of 12+ will be in the $30 to $40 range, while individual tickets will be in the $60 to $85 range.  We can purchase for ANY show.  If you want to pursue this, please fill in the last page of this booklet and give it to us by Friday, 1-22-10.  We will look at how many people want to attend each show, get prices for you and respond by phone.  You will need to bring us your payment on Monday 1-25-10. (We must pay when we order.)  The tickets will be sent to us via airmail within a week. Passports If you have not yet applied for your passport, THIS is the time to do it! We must have a photocopy of your passport (the photo and signature pages, signed) with your final payment. (Due 2-1) (This is the only way we know for certain that you may leave the country.) Virgin Vacations needs one also, so be sure to get going on this! You must also have a notarized, parental consent letter in order to leave the USA without your parents. (See sample at end of packet.)

Travel plans to Boston We will be flying in and out of Logan Airport in Boston. Our flight is on Virgin Air leaving at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, 4-17 and returning on Monday, 4-26 at 5:10 p.m. To simplify travel and meeting it is best for us to depart and return as a group. We will travel by motor coach either privately on Cyr from Brunswick High School or on Concord from the 2 bus/train terminal in Portland. We are negotiating cost at this time and will let you what works out best.

When we leave When we arrive in Boston we will be checking in as a group. You will be asked to wait patiently, produce your passport, place your luggage on the belt for security scanning (do NOT lock your bag) and possible search, and then we’ll wait for our plane. Please get some good sleep in the days prior to leaving, especially on Friday, and plan to sleep a little on the coach to Boston and on the plane. When we arrive in London at 7:20 a.m. it will feel like 1:20 a.m. (You may feel energetic, but remember, it will be day time and we have a full day of touring to do!) Once we pass through customs (usually a non-stop walk past the agents) we will transfer to our coach and head out on our day tour. Afterwards we will transfer to the hotel for check-in and dinner. Most of us will probably want to get settled in for the night (ha!ha! for all you teenage night owls!) and be all ready for the morning tour on Monday. We know that you will be excited and may want to go out exploring a bit, so we’ll talk about that on our ride to the hotel from the airport.

Coming home It is very helpful if your ride is waiting at the arranged spot and on time, approximately 8:30 p.m. (since it will feel like 2:30 a.m. to all of us!) In March we will make a telephone chain to be used by us (the Woodsum’s) to let you (families at home) know of any change in plans. Family 1 calls Family 2, Family 2 calls Family 3, etc…until all families have been reached. If the family you call is not home, you must call the next family immediately and keep trying your original family. Remember that Tuesday is a school day and get some sleep on the plane and the coach home. You will undoubtedly want to visit with your family when you get home for a little while, and then it’s up again at 6 a.m.! Luggage You may bring one suitcase, a carry-on, a purse and a camera bag. Check the Virgin website for the specifics on size and type of bag. We recommend that you allow space for bringing home stuff you purchase or bring a folding bag to use for the flight home. Only your suitcase will be transferred from the coach to your room, you must carry everything else. So the less you have to carry the better off you are! You MUST 3 have a permanent tag on the outside of your luggage and tape a tag to the inside of your bag with your name and phone number on it. We are providing you with a group luggage strap/tag in March.

Suggested clothing list and accessories  3 jeans  1 skirt or dress or slacks / sports jacket & slacks  2 blouses/ dress shirts  1 sweater & 1 sweatshirt  2 turtlenecks  6 casual shirts  1 sleepwear  2 pairs shoes – 1 comfortable, 1 dress (nothing NEW!)  Lingerie – underwear, socks, stockings, slip, tie, belt  1 spring/fall coat  1 folding umbrella  Toiletries – makeup, toothbrush, paste & floss, body soap, shampoo, etc..., perfume/cologne, laundry soap (if you need it for hand washing), sewing kit, brush/comb  Hair dryer-220 volts – provided at each hotel  Electricity converter/adapter (if needed; the UK runs on 220 volts – If you need to charge your i-Pod you will only need an adapter for the wall outlet (2 round prongs) as the i-Pod charges world-wide)  Washcloth  Laundry bag  Sunglasses  Watch – so you will ALWAYS be on time!  Snacks for trip

Items for your person  Waist or neck money/passport pouch  Passport

4  Money ($20 American cash, L20 British cash, travelers checks (AMEX is easiest to cash), credit cards, debit cards, AAA VISA TravelMoney ® Card, other prepaid debit cards (greendotonline.com)  Extra prescription drugs  Health insurance info. Items for your carry-on bag  No more than 3 ounces of any given liquid, crème, paste, etc. These MUST be separated from your other items AND placed in a 1- quart, clear plastic zipper-bag. We WILL check this at the airport before we check in!  Camera and extra memory card & battery  Itinerary  Prescription drugs needed, in original containers  Contact lens supplies (very little liquids)  Extra eyeglasses (or prescription)  Key to suitcase (for use after flight)  Any other valuables – CD or DVD players, etc…  1 change of clothing – at least underwear and socks and toothbrush (in case suitcase is delayed or lost)  Snacks for flight  Reading material

Notes on prescriptions and first-aid  If we are delayed, or your bag gets lost or stolen, and you need prescription drugs, having a prescription with you usually allows us to get you the medicine you need. Carrying your supply in two different locations is helpful also.  If you need your glasses/contacts to see, then bring a spare!  It can be helpful to carry a letter from your health insurance company stating that you do have coverage for international travel. (To get a letter, just call your insurance company and request one.) In most cases, you still have to pay for the services you receive but your insurance covers you upon return. Some places will accept your letter along with a deposit.

5  We will have a first-aid kit with us in our room. It contains items such as ace bandages, hot packs, cold pack, band-aids, antibiotic cream, Tylenol, Mylanta, cough drops, Robitussin, Imodium, cleaning pads for cuts, etc… Please bring the items you normally use such as tampons, cold remedies, etc… but do NOT hesitate to ask us for ANYTHING! The sooner you can catch something that is bothering you, the sooner you will feel better. It is NOT a bother to us; it is part of our role while you are with us. 

Photos The best and longest lasting souvenirs you can have are photos that you take. Be sure to bring an extra memory card and battery for your digital camera. You can always return unopened items when you return home if you don’t end up using them. The cost for these items is extremely high overseas. And remember, the best photos have people in them! 

Tips for Drivers and Guides Drivers and guides are paid a base wage and rely on tips for most of their income. This is a necessary part of travel that we must plan for. Since we will be having several different folks for drivers and guides we would like to collect this money from you before we leave. We will convert this to British pounds and have the tip ready for each person each day. The rates suggested by Virgin Vacations are $1.60 for drivers on transfer trips, $2.50 each for the driver and tour guide on a half-day tour, $4.00 each for the driver and tour guide on a full-day tour, $5.50 each for the driver and tour guide on the road tour. We will have the following:

Whom Where Rate Cost Full day @ Driver London $4.00 4.00 Half day @ Driver London – 2 days $2.50 5.00 Half day @ Guide London – 2 days $2.50 5.00 Full day @ Driver Salisbury $4.00 4.00 Full day @ Guide Salisbury $4.00 4.00 York to 2 Full days @ Driver Edinburgh $5.50 11.00 Guide York thru 4 Full days @ 21.00

6 Edinburgh $5.50 Edinburgh – Transfer @ Driver Ceilidh $1.60 1.60 Edinburgh to Transfer @ Driver airport $1.60 1.60 $ Total 57.20

Thus, please include $57.00 in your packet due March 17th.

Money You must bring $250 with you. You may bring this in a combination of cash, traveler’s checks, debit cards, credit cards and AAA VISA TravelMoney ® Card. This will be used for the cost of 8 lunches ($10 - $20 per lunch), 4 dinners ($60-$100), all beverages, snacks, transportation fees when on free time, admission to free time activities, cost of optional excursions, etc… If you plan on doing a lot of entrances or buying a lot of souvenirs, you will need to bring money in addition to the $250 above. Just because you bring money with you doesn’t mean you have to spend it! (Parents - we will be watchful of your son/daughter. )

It’s a good idea to have a bit of British spending money with you upon arrival, and the rest of your money in American Express traveler’s checks or debit/credit cards. We will instruct you on how to be smart about your money. We will be placing an order for British pounds on Friday, March 19th. The bank charges a flat fee for ordering foreign currency so it is cheaper for everyone to make one purchase as a group. You will need to decide how many dollars you want converted, then add $1 for the fee, and write a check to ‘Steve Woodsum’ for the amount, and bring it to school by Wednesday, March 17th. You will be given your British pounds after we receive and before we leave. The current exchange rate is $1.62 to L1. (We recommend at least $30) Note: Some things in England are a bargain, but these are generally British made items. We recommend only a few souvenirs, and to take lots of photos which will last a lifetime. Most other things are more costly than here, especially given the exchange rates. We will give you hints when we arrive. You may want to bring snacks with you (especially for lunch) for the trip to help save money. Useful hints

7  Keep passport and wallet in travel pouch or front hip pocket at all times. NEVER leave this in your room, even for only a few minutes! You MUST have your passport and parental consent letter with you or you cannot board the plane!  Keep suitcase locked when not on the plane.  Be sure you know the whereabouts of all your belongings at all times.  If bringing anything of value with you, bring proof of purchase (this helps with customs.)  Pack a change of clothes and small toiletries in your carry-on bag. This insures one comfortable night if your suitcase is delayed or lost.  Layering clothes provides more warmth than 1 heavy layer.  The weather should be about 50 to 70 degrees during the day.  Remember to pack as light as you can!  A special group luggage tag will be given to you in March. Please affix to your suitcase.  Please be punctual for all events. There are 30+ of us; when one or two folks are late MANY others are waiting, so please be considerate. (This includes waking up, eating and being ready to leave in the morning.) Those who are late get ‘special’ attention from us!  If bringing a cell phone with you that works overseas, please do not let others use it. The fees can be large and you have no guarantee of payment from the person ‘borrowing’ the phone.

8 Around London The basic ways to get around London are by Taxi, bus, tube and your feet!

Taxis are the most expensive, but may be good if you are short on time or are really tired. If 4 of you go together and share the cost it really helps to keep the cost more reasonable. A tip is required, 10% is good.

Busses are fun to see the sights from, but finding the correct bus route may be a challenge. You pay the driver upon boarding, with correct change, based on your destination; or you show your day travel-card. Watch for your stop. People usually stand near the exit when their stop is approaching. Use the pull cord to signal the driver if no one else appears to be getting off.

Tube is their name for our subways (their subway is a walkway below a busy road to get to the other side). This is the best and cheapest way to get around the city. You go underground into the station, purchase a ticket (using correct change or a credit/debit card), put your ticket in the machine you walk through, take your ticket out of the machine and keep it in a safe place. Then you go to the CORRECT platform for the direction you want, board a train, watch for your stop or transfer point, detrain, go to the exit for the street you want, put your ticket into the machine you walk through, take your ticket and put it in a safe place, and exit. The day travel-card is the best deal as you can travel on the Tube and busses all day and evening for one price and you only have to purchase one ticket!

Important Note

Please ALWAYS feel welcome to accompany either of the Woodsum’s or Mrs. Morin during free time. We will always be doing something or going somewhere. Don’t feel that you need to join us, but come along if you wish. If there is something you would like to do that is not included in the tour, please ask us and we’ll see what is possible.

9 Checklist Due Wednesday, 3-17-10

Name

Photocopy of photo and signature page of passport, signed

Notarized parental consent letter (students only )

Birth certificate copy used for obtaining passport (This will be used to obtain a new passport if you lose yours!) Signed behavior contract Money exchange form and cash/check to exchange Check for $57 payable to Steven Woodsum for driver and guide tips for entire trip

Emergency contact information: Name Relationship Street address City State Zip Home phone #

Cell phone # Work phone # Company

Name Relationship Street address City State Zip Home phone #

10 Cell phone # Work phone # Company

Money Exchange Request

Woodsum’s History Tour 2010

Due by Wednesday March 17 th , 2010

Name

Date

U.S. dollars I want to exchange $

Plus exchange fee of $1

Total U.S. dollars attached $ (check to Steven Woodsum or cash)

------Please leave for the Woodum’s to fill in

Amount received $ Less fee of $1 = $ Amount for exchange $ Exchange rate $ = L Amount due in pounds sterling L Amount enclosed L

11 Amount owed to you L from traveler

Amount you owe L to traveler

12 Theatre ticket request

Due Friday 1-22-10 to Mr. or Mrs. Woodsum

Please check out this website, www.londontheatredirect.com, to see what shows are playing and what you might like to see. It looks like prices for a group of 12+ will be in the $30 - $40 range, while individual tickets will be in the $60 to $100 range.

I would like to see the following show while in London on Monday evening, April 19th.

1st choice

2nd choice

3rd choice

I would like to see a second show on either Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

Please check availability and pricing for:

I understand this is a request for availability and pricing, NOT an order for the ticket.

Name

Phone

We will look at how many people want to attend each show, get prices for you and respond by phone.

You must bring your payment to school on Monday 1-25-10. (We must pay when we order.)

13 ------Please leave for the Woodum’s to fill in

Show chosen Date Time Theatre

Cost Paid Date

14