2015
EAST COAST TRIP Buffalo, NY/New York, NY/Philadelphia, PA /Washington D.C./Myrtle Beach, SC/Orlando, FL
14 days/13 nights Welcome to the East Coast Trip!!! Get ready to embark on two weeks of pure excitement – exploring the majestic natural beauty of Niagara Falls, the fast paced urban life in New York City, the history and grandeur of Washington DC, the sunshine and sand of Myrtle Beach, SC and the magic of an adventure in Orlando, FL! This is the chance to see some of the most fascinating sights the East Coast has to offer! The adventure will begin in Buffalo, NY and head to the city that never sleeps – New York City! Next stop is Philadelphia for a fascinating glimpse into America’s past before heading to the nation’s capital…Washington DC. Then, it’s time to relax and have some fun in the sun in Myrtle Beach, SC. And let’s not forget the world where all your dreams come true…we finish the trip in amazing Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL visiting Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and of course the Magic Kingdom – the “happiest place on earth!” All this and much more are included in our 14-day adventure! Arrival Airport: Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) in Buffalo, NY between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm EST. Departure Airport: Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Orlando, FL between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm EST.
Belo USA contact phone numbers: • Toll free: 1-877-235.6872 - 8am to 5pm CST • FAX: 1-312-376-3690 • E-mail: belo@belousa.com Emergency contact: • Toll free: 1-855-442-7714 (Trip Coordinator - 24 hours during trip dates)
Some of our educational goals of the trip include : 1. Identify cultural and social differences; 2. Explore the many differences and wonders of the US; 3. Learn and Live American history.
Operated by:
Niagara Falls New York City Philadelphia Washington D.C.
Myrtle Beach
Orlando
Pro gram
ATLANTIC
Date: June 2 to June 15 / Departure from: Buffalo, NY JUNE 2 - TUESDAY
• 372 miles – 7 hours
Niagara Falls, NY Welcome to the East Coast Trip! Arrivals to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) can be between 8 am to 5 pm. 7 pm – Dinner (included). 8 pm – Orientation Meeting (mandatory). At the orientation BELO USA will give all students the guidelines, as well as the logistical specifics for the trip. The Chaperone, Belo Trip Coordinator and Monitors will introduce themselves so students know who they are and what their role is during the trip. This meeting will prepare all students to fully enjoy this fantastic trip safely.
We'll have a stop for restroom and also snacks. 7 pm – Dinner on the Road. 10 pm – Arrival in THE CITY! WELCOME TO NEW YORK. New York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over global commerce, finance, media, culture, art, fashion, research, education, and entertainment. As host of the United Nations Headquarters, it is also an important center for international affairs.
JUNE 4 - THURSDAY JUNE 3 - WEDNESDAY
New York City, NY
Niagara Falls, NY/ New York City, NY
Breakfast (included).
Breakfast (included). 8 am – Depart to Niagara Falls State Park. Get your cameras ready!! We will go on a boat ride and get really close to the falls. Since 1846, Maid of the Mist Cruises has been taking visitors to the foot of the American and Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls. You'll get a poncho to keep you dry, but getting misty is part of the fun!
We will explore 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Plaza, Central Park, Colombia University, and Harlem – home of the famous Apollo Theater.
11:30 am – Free time for lunch in the park.
1 pm – We'll make a stop in Greenwich Village, a great neighborhood with nice shops. Don't forget to grab your lunch (not included).
1 pm – We will head to the Cave of the Winds and get ready to hike. We will take a tour and walk on the catwalk until we are within feet of the thunderous falls. When we come back, we will take a footbridge from Goat Island and we'll watch the massive falls.
3 pm – We will be embarking on an astonishing tour of the Metropolitan Art Museum (included). This afternoon will be filled with beauty, intrigue, and history.
3 pm – Departure to New York City.
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8 am - Be prepared to walk around the Big Apple! Today we will be touring mid-town Manhattan, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes so that you can enjoy our New York City stroll.
Let's head to 5th Avenue, the major thoroughfare in the center of the borough of
Pro gram Manhattan. Be ready to visit one of the premier shopping streets in the world. 7 pm - Dinner (included) and then free time at the infamous Times Square for shopping, taking photos and seeing the sights. All the bright lights of Times Square look amazing at night!
JUNE 5 - FRIDAY
New York City, NY Breakfast (included). 8 am – Are you ready for the view from a 102 story building? Next up is the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING. This majestic structure held the record as the world's tallest building for more than 40 years. What more needs to be said? You can't come to New York and not check out the view from the observation deck. Let's go on up and admire all of Manhattan! After, we'll head to Grand Central Station where you will have free time for lunch.
2:00 pm – Time to visit one of the most famous museums in New York – the American Museum of Natural History! Get up close and personal with some dinosaur bones, explore the galaxy, or catch a 3D IMAX movie! The American Museum of Natural History (abbreviated as AMNH), located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, is one of the largest museums in the world. Located in park-like grounds across the street from Central Park, the museum complex comprises 27 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibition halls, in addition to a planetarium and a library. The museum collections contain over 32 million specimens of plants, humans, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artifacts, of which only a small fraction can be displayed at any given time, and occupies 1,600,000 square feet (150,000 m2). The Museum has a full-time scientific staff of 225, sponsors over 120 special field expeditions each year, and averages about five million visits annually.
6:30 pm – Dinner in Times Square. 1:15 pm – We'll continue touring New York City visiting Wall Street, the World Trade Center site, and the Brooklyn Bridge!
8:00 pm – OPTIONAL – Broadway Show! (not included).
Afterwards, we'll enjoy some free time in SoHo… one of New York's famous shopping districts!
JUNE 7 - SUNDAY
7:30 pm – Dinner in Chinatown (included).
JUNE 6 - SATURDAY
New York City, NY
New York City, NY/ Philadelphia, PA/ Washington D.C.
3:00 pm – We will begin our tour of Colonial Philadelphia! Stops will include: Independence Square, the Liberty Bell, the famous “Rocky” stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Elfreth's Alley, a historic neighborhood in the heart of Philadelphia. 6:00 pm – dinner in Philadelphia (included). 8:00 pm – Departure to Washington D.C. • 141 miles – 2 ½ hours
10:30 pm – Arrival in Washington D.C. – Time to get some rest for a big day exploring the nation's capital in the morning!
JUNE 8 - MONDAY
Washington D.C. Breakfast (included). 9 am - Time to explore! We start our tour of America's capital city by visiting all of its most famous landmarks, such as the U.S. Capital Building, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, and Lincoln Memorial. We are packing a lot of historic landmarks and famous sights into this day, but they will all be worth it! 12 pm - Lunch at the Smithsonian Museum campus (not included).
Breakfast (included) and check out of hotel.
2 pm – Next we'll try to catch a glimpse of the President at the White House! We'll finish the tour with time for pictures at the Washington Monument.
9 am – Departure to Philadelphia, PA – non stop.
7:30 pm – Dinner (included). And some time to rest before another fun-filled day!
Breakfast (included). • 106 miles – 2 hours
8 am – We'll go to one of the most famous sightseeing locations in the world - Liberty Enlightening the World, which you will probably know as the Statue of Liberty. Prepare your cameras for the amazing skyline pictures of New York City through this historic landmark! Lunch in Times Square.
11 am – Arrival in Philadelphia – free time for lunch at Reading Terminal (not included). 1:00 pm – Let's head to the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The National Constitution Center in Historic Philadelphia is America's most interactive history museum.
JUNE 9 - TUESDAY
Washington D.C./ Myrtle Beach, SC Breakfast (included) and Check out. 9 am – Departure to Myrtle Beach, SC.
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Pro gram • 438 miles – 8 hours
Arrival in Orlando!
We'll stop on the way for restroom, lunch and snacks. We'll also have a great movie selection…
7 pm – Dinner (included).
JUNE 12 - FRIDAY 5 pm – Arrival in Myrtle Beach!! Before heading to dinner we'll have some free time to relax. 7 pm – Dinner (included).
JUNE 10 - WEDNESDAY
Myrtle Beach, SC Breakfast before we head to the beach (included). 9 am – Grab your sun block and let's go to the beach! A day of fun in the sun, don't forget to check out all the beach fashion.
animals behind and jump into the movies. We'll have opportunities to ride rides like the “Tower of Terror” and see how they pull off some of the crazy stunts we see in movies! Dinner (included) and return to the Hotel.
Orlando, FL 8 am – Breakfast (included). "To all who come to this happy place welcome. Disney is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future… dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. “Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955
JUNE 14 - SUNDAY
Orlando, FL Breakfast (included). 9 am – Today we will spend the day at Epcot – where all gather to celebrate the fascinating cultures and wonders of the world. Epcot is one of the largest of the Disney theme parks and boasts one of the fastest rides Disneyworld has to offer! Get ready for a day filled with adventure, exploring the World Showcase and Future World.
Leave for Magic Kingdom. 12:30 pm – Free time to get some lunch at the beach (not included). 3 pm – Let's head back to the hotel and get cleaned up for an afternoon of fun and shopping! 4 pm- Depart for “Broadway at the Beach.” While here you've got several options you can hang out and shop, play Mini-Golf, see a movie at the IMAX theater or the regular movie theater, or spend the afternoon at Ripley's Aquarium. 7:30 pm- Dinner together at Broadway at the Beach!! (included)
Dinner at the park (included). Today we'll be able to check out Cinderella's castle, visit some great Disney Characters and ride plenty of rides. The Magic Kingdom is a place for imagination, laughter and fun. Get ready to be a kid again with all of your new friends. We'll celebrate all day long and late into the night to watch the fireworks!
Return to the hotel.
JUNE 15 - MONDAY
Orlando, FL - Home
Dinner at the park and return to the hotel after the fireworks.
Breakfast (included).
JUNE 13 - SATURDAY
DEPARTURE DAY: The students will be taken to Orlando International Airport (MCO). Our staff will be assisting the students with check in and departure.
Orlando, FL Breakfast (included).
- Departures are between 8 am – 5 pm EST. JUNE 11 - THURSDAY
Myrtle Beach, SC/Orlando, FL
9 am – Leave for Animal Kingdom!!
• 518 miles – 10 hours
This morning we'll have the opportunity to run wild at the Disney's Animal Kingdom. We'll have a morning full of fun rides and lots of wildlife. We'll even have an opportunity to ride Animal Kingdom's newest roller coaster the “Expedition Everest”!
It's a long travel day, but it will be filled with good music, movies, and friends! …And a few stops along the way.
In the afternoon we'll make our way over to Disney's MGM Hollywood Studios theme park. Here we'll leave the world of wildlife and
Breakfast (included) and check out. 9 am – Pack your bags…we're going to Florida!
Students are not permitted to stay longer than the planned trip – all departing flights must be scheduled for this day. If there are any flight cancellations or delays, we will communicate with the host family. Thanks for traveling with us and we look forward to seeing you very soon!
BELO USA TRAVEL Inc.
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Usefu l Hints MANDATORY ITEMS: •Original Passport - students will not be allowed to travel without their passport;
•Sandals, sneakers, tennis shoes and/or trekking boots;
•If you bring a credit card, leave a copy with your host family;
• Swimming suit.
• Any medication you take regularly.
•T-Shirts (remember: the southeastern US can reach over 100 degrees in the summer);
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED ITEMS:
•Approximately US$ 350.00 for personal expenses during the trip, such as meals, gifts, and others. If you are interested in buying gifts, remember to bring a larger amount;
• Cap;
(Remember to put your name on your belongings!)
• Alarm clock;
• Sweatshirts
• Camera, memory card and charger;
• Layered clothing;
• Video Camera and charger;
• Personal products;
• Cell phone and charger;
• Sunscreen, sunglasses;
• MP3 and/or I-Pod;
• Accessories (belt, etc.);
• Flag from your country;
• Watch;
• Musical instrument you play, etc.
CLOTHING AND OTHER NECESSARY ITEMS: •Shorts, Jeans - take a look at the weather before you leave home and decide what you will need to wear;
Pri ce Includes · Transportation during the trip by charter bus;
· Ticket to Epcot Center, Orlando, FL;
· Water inside the bus;
· Ticket to Magic Kingdom, Orlando, FL;
· 13 nights (4 person shared accommodations);
· Ticket to Animal Kingdom, Orlando, FL;
· 13 Breakfasts;
· Ticket to Disney's Hollywood Studios;
· 13 Dinners;
· City Tours;
· Ticket to the Boat Ride Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls, NY;
· Local specialized guides;
Ticket to Cave of the Winds in Niagara Falls; ·
· Transfer to and from Airport - Hotel – Airport;
· Ticket to the Empire State Building;
· Chaperone;
· Ticket to the Statue of Liberty;
· Belo USA Coordinator;
· Ticket to the Metropolitan Museum of Art;
· Belo USA Monitors;
· Admission to American Museum of Natural History;
· 1 Trip T-shirt;
· Admission to the Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA;
· 1 Trip Video.
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Hotels Niagara Falls
Myrtle Beach
Fairfield Inn and Suites Buffalo Airport 4271 Genesee Street Cheektowaga, New York 14225 716-633-2488
La Quinta Inn and Suites 1561 21st Avenue North Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 843-916-8801
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@ Orlando
New York Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel 1000 Spring St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 908-436-4600
Springhill Suites - Orlando Airport 5828 Hazeltine National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822 407-816-5533
@ Washington DC Embassy Suites Dulles Airport 13341 Woodland Park Rd, Herndon, VA 20171 703-464-0200
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Coin Laundry Facility
Fitness Center
Swimming Pool
Internet Access
Buses Modern coach buses with spacious reclining seats with adjustable foot rests; huge tinted picture windows; individual reading lights and climate control; and state-of-the-art audio/video equipment for playing CDs and DVDs. All buses will be equipped with a First Aid kit and beverages for longer trips.
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General Conditions 01.English is the official language of this trip. 02.It is not allowed, under any circumstance, for any student to separate from the program during the trip. 03.All students must bring their original passport on the trip, however please leave a copy of your passport with your host family. 04.At the beginning and end of the trip, each student must leave from and go directly to their host community, unless the student has written permission from Exchange Student Organization and their host family. 05.Belo USA Travel Inc. is not responsible for buying any bus, airline and train tickets from the trip's final destination to your host city. It's the student's responsibility to pay for the ticket. 06.Illegal drug use of any kind is prohibited. 07.Stealing of any kind will be severely punished in addition to any possible legal consequences. 08.Purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden. 09.Tattoos and body piercings are extremely discouraged and allowed only with the preauthorization of the natural parents and sponsor/local Exchange Student Organization. 10.Our schedules and itineraries must be followed by all students. The trip coordinator reserves the right to make changes in the schedule, when necessary, or if it is in the best interest of the group. 11.Lodging does not cover incidental costs, such as phone calls, mini-bar purchases, etc. If the students decide to use these services, they are responsible for paying these costs. 12.Keep luggage to a minimum. All students will carry and be responsible for their own luggage at all times. The maximum amount allowed is 50 pounds (23 kg) and a carry on bag (small bag or back pack). Remember to keep those items you will need during the day with you on the bus - like iPods, cameras, wallets, etc. 13. Students must be approved by Exchange Student Organization in order to travel. Students who have faced disciplinary action with Exchange Student Organization may be denied approval for participation.
19.Please note that additional expenses are different for each individual. We believe that $25/per day is enough for food, extra entertainment, optional items, etc, but remember to bring additional money if you are planning to buy gifts. Also remember that anything you buy will have to fit into your suitcase in order to get it on the bus and back home. 20.There will be plenty of ATM machines available during the entire course of the trip in case you need more money. 21.Please bring all cash in US dollars. 22.If you are not comfortable traveling with cash, Traveler's Checks are a safer option. Most banks in the US can provide you with Traveler's Checks, which are accepted at most commercial locations. 23.Travel expenses from your host city to the trip's departing airport are not included in the program fee. 24.If you take any regular medication, make sure to bring enough for the trip's duration. Also, please bring a copy of the prescription in case you might need it (just to be safe.) 25.Since we will be outside, please be careful and use lotion/sunscreen. 26.If any student's conduct is considered harmful to the rest of the students, or if any student breaks any of the program rules, he or she can be sent back to their host community immediately, assuming all extra costs, to his or her host city/family. Additionally, any violation of the rules and any students removed from the program will be reported to Exchange Student Organization. 27.All prices are in US dollars. In case of payment by international wire transfer, the dollar/euro/your local currency exchange rate to be considered for conversion will be the one listed by Chase Bank / JP Morgan on the day that the payment arrives in the USA. 28.All other optional activities that may be offered during student's free time are considered extra costs, and are not included in the overall trip price. 29.Belo USA Travel Inc. is not responsible for the cost of the student's travel expenses from his/her host city to the departure point and back.
15.The trip has a limited number of vacancies, which will be filled on a “first come – first serve” basis.
30.Lost & Found: all the students' items found during the trip will be sent to Belo USA's office and kept for 60 days after the end of the trip. Any student who has lost something must send us an e-mail with the description of the item within 60 days of the end of the trip. Postage to return the item to any student is the student's responsibility.
16.There must be at least 35 students signed up to open up the trip. However, there is a possibility for us to open more buses depending on the number of reservations.
31.All students who take part in this trip grant image use rights to Belo USA to produce a Trip VIDEO, as well as use of photos from the trip on our website and program materials.
17.Belo USA Travel Inc. reserves the right to operate the trip program backwards (i.e., switching the departure city and the arrival city) if needed because of number of students and availability.
32.The Trip Video will be sent to the students within six months of the completion of the trip. Belo USA will contact students by email when the video is ready. You will be sent a link and a password in order to view and download the video
14.All departure/arrival times from/to our activities will be decided by the coordinators, depending on the exact length of each activity.
18.Swimming: Even if you know how to swim please BE CAREFUL, because you are unfamiliar with the pool/places and are not aware of all potential hazards.
34.Please make any comments or complaints regarding the trip in writing (via email or standard letter) to Belo USA Travel within 30 days of the end of the trip to ensure Belo USA a chance to respond. All contracts with Belo officially end 30 days after the trip and Belo USA, the tour operator, is therefore relinquished of any responsibility. 35.Once any student requests the description of any of the trip's programs organized by Belo USA Travel Inc., the client declares to know and to agree with all the terms of this “General Conditions”, that can be found in our trip program or on our web site. Cancellation and Refund Policy: 36.In case we do not achieve the minimum number of participants needed, Belo USA Travel Inc. reserves the right to cancel the trip or to transfer the date and/or to offer other options of tours as well, according to the clients wish. If this occurs, all payments already made will be returned in full. 37.If the student chooses to leave the program or is sent home for breaking any program rules, he/she will pay a penalty according to the date of his written order to cancel the tour, read below: * Cancelled more than 30 days before the beginning of the trip: 10% of the trip's price. * Cancelled between 29 and 21 days before the beginning of the trip: 20% of the trip's price. * Cancelled between 20 and 7 days before the beginning of the trip: 40% of the trip's price. * Cancelled between 6 days or less before the beginning of the trip: 100% of the trip's price. - If a student cancels his or her trip, any payments previously made cannot be transferred to another student or host sibling. 38.Any student who leaves the trip during the program, for any reason, will not receive any refund. 39.A request for reimbursement due to trip cancellation because of an early return of the exchange student to his/her original country, must be made to Belo USA Travel Inc. at least seven (7) days in advance of the program trip's departure. After initial request, reimbursement will be made to a U.S. bank account and the penalties will be applied according to the “cancellation and refund policy” above. If the student does not follow the deadline established by the program, making it necessary for us to proceed with the reimbursement through International Wire Transfer, all taxes and bank fees will be the client's responsibility. - In case of early return of the student from the trip or to his/her original country, cost of return ticket is the student's responsibility. 40.Any cancellations or withdrawals must be made in writing – via letter, fax or email – by the tour's participant to Belo USA Travel Inc. 41.Belo USA Travel is not responsible for any reimbursements or change fees associated with flight or travel arrangements.
Operated by:
33.In case you do not receive an email containing the link to the video, please contact Belo USA with your current email address.
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