Barcelona Trip 30 th March 5 th April 2016
What can I expect? The opportunity to explore some of the most famous sites of a fantastic city. A variety of new cultural experiences. A chance to improve and practise a foreign language. The strengthening of existing friendships and the creation of new ones.
Where are we staying?
Calella A pretty seaside town on the Costa Brava. Situated 55 km from Barcelona
On the beach, please remember. To wear appropriate beachwear. To bring your own sun protection (we can t offer this to students unfortunately). That you are welcome to paddle, but can t go in any higher than your knees. Students will not be able to use the hotel swimming pool as we will not have a trained lifeguard with us.
Hotel Haromar Located overlooking the sea in Calella. Rooms will be a mixture of triples and quads. Girls and boys will not be allowed in each other s rooms.
What places are we visiting in Barcelona? The journey from Calella to Barcelona takes less than an hour
Camp Nou is the stadium of the worldfamous Barcelona FC. Barcelona FC museum, players dressing room, VIP lounge and press conference area. Audio guides will be given to all pupils. Camp Nou
City centre Walking tour of the city. Views of the main sites, including Gaudi s cathedral and park and Las Ramblas. Souvenirs and postcards.
National Art Museum of Catalonia This museum houses a huge collection of Catalan art spanning from the 10 th to the 20 th century. It gives a vision of this area of Spain (Catalonia) throughout the ages and includes work by Picasso, Velázquez and many more famous Spanish artists.
Where else will we be visiting?
Montserrat Mountain located 30 km from Barcelona. Historically important and stunning views. UNESCO world heritage site.
Port Aventura South of Barcelona, it is one of the most popular theme parks in Europe. Rides and attractions to suit all tastes.
Trust and Responsibilities There will be times during the trip when for limited amounts of time pupils will be allowed to go off in small groups. They will always know where to find at least one member of staff at a designated meeting point. They will be given contact information cards to keep with them at all times. This level of trust placed in students is a privilege which will be withdrawn if it is not respected. Any behaviour deemed to be out of control or dangerous = You will be responsible for collecting your child.
Behaviour Expectations One of the reasons you have been given a place on this trip is your excellent behaviour and attendance record. We have the highest expectations of all pupils coming with us and we have no doubt that these expectations will be met. Please bear in mind that you are representing our academy at all times, and that whilst on visits, around the hotel and on the journey you must always remember to reflect yourselves and our academy in a positive way.
If behaviour does not meet our high expectations, for example not following instructions, students will not be able to participate in certain activities. In the unlikely event of a serious behaviour incident, parents will be contacted and an early return to the UK may need to be arranged, at the cost of the parents.
The Outbound Journey The coach will leave at 3pm from Francis Combe Academy on Wednesday 20 th March. You will need to be at school by 2.45pm at the latest. The ferry will leave Dover at 8.35pm and will take 1 hour 30 minutes. When we arrive in Calais we will be driving through France to Barcelona, arriving at our hotel at around 2pm local time.
For the journey: Wear comfortable clothing. Take travel sickness tablets if necessary. Keep areas tidy. As we are travelling overnight be aware of quiet time. Bring a book/games/water/snacks (not energy drinks). Make sure you go to the toilet during the regular stops.
The Return Journey The coach will leave the hotel at 2.30pm Monday 4 th April local time. The ferry will leave Calais at 8.40 am on Tuesday 5 th April. We will arrive back at Francis Combe Academy at around 11.45am on Tuesday 5 th April. You will be notified by text of any change to our arrival time.
Food Full-board accommodation: breakfast and dinner, as well as a packed lunch for our daytime excursions. Bottled water will be provided, but other drinks will need to be purchased. On the journey out you will need to bring a packed dinner or money to buy food on the ferry, as well as breakfast for the next morning (to be eaten on the coach). All other meals on the outward and return journey will be provided by us.
Evening Activities We will organise a range of evening activities for pupils. Once evening activities are completed, students will have some time relaxing on their own and will then need to stay in their own rooms. They will always know where the members of staff are located in case they need anything in the night.
Money and personal items Pupils will need to bring 20 euros deposit for their room. This should be in an envelope marked with their name and will be collected by their group leader before departure. Pupils are welcome to bring spending money (in euros) to buy souvenirs if they wish. We are happy to distribute money as a daily allowance, please hand it in in named/dated envelopes. They may want a little money in pounds to spend on the ferry. We advise students not to bring expensive items. If they do, we cannot guarantee their security. We recommend that pupils don t use their mobile phones during the trip.
Important things to remember The deadline for handing in medical consent forms is THIS FRIDAY (12/2/16). Please ensure all sections are complete, even if they do not all seem relevant to this particular trip. Pupils must hand in passports (and EHIC cards if you have them already) to be locked in the school safe by THIS FRIDAY (12/2/16). This is because the tour operator requires all passenger details, including passport numbers, as soon as possible. It is a legal requirement that they have this information. All of these documents should be taken to the finance office. If there are any issues with getting passports in by this Friday please speak to us.