Specializing in
student & youth
Travel since 1980
LISBON, PORTUGAL
OUR COMMITMENT Since our beginnings in 1980, Ellison Travel & Tours has delivered on its promises and values. A family business with a dedicated team of travel specialists operating across Canada, we are one of the largest 100% Canadian owned and operated travel agencies in the country, and are proud of our leadership role in the travel industry. COVID-19 has changed where and how we travel and we have adapted to this new reality through #SafeTravels, which is a global initiative promoting industry best practices to ensure that protocols are in place across all relevant areas of the industry ensuring a safe travel experience. We are in a new global environment in which travel disruptions can arise at any time. At Ellison, we continue to invest in technologies and global travel alert services that provide the necessary monitoring systems to provide our clients peace of mind that you have someone to rely on 24/7. As educators, you are dedicated to enriching the lives of your students. Our commitment to you is simple … we listen to you and build a tour designed to fit your curriculum and budget with solutions to meet your expectations. Together we can open students’ hearts and minds through travel. Yours in travel, Doug Ellison, Chairman & Founder
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Safety & Your Tour ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 What We Offer --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 Travel Insurance--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Easy Steps to Planning Your Tour--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Extraordinary CANADA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Our Neighbours USA--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16 Explore EUROPE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 Discover OTHER LANDS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 Music Tours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 Remembrance Tours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 Why book your group with us? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34 * Attractions and festivals noted are subject to change
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SAFETY & YOUR TOUR SAFE TRAVELS
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Safe Travels involves a number of recommended protocols based on input from leading global tour operators and public health guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Safe Travels aims to ensure protocols are in place across all relevant areas of the travel industry with an increased focus on health, hygiene, and reduction of physical contact guidance so that travellers can embrace a safe travel experience in the COVID-19 pandemic era.
DEDICATED SAFE TRAVELS TEAM
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At Ellison, we take pride in our attention to health and safety, and responsible travel. Our Safe Travels Team brings together public health and risk management expertise, educators and highly skilled travel planners and tour managers to ensure that robust policies and procedures are in place for the health and safety of our tours. Our team will ensure that our tours meet all appropriate public health guidelines, and that our Ellison tour managers are equipped with the proper training, tools and resources to facilitate a safe experience for our travellers. Further, our Safe Travels Team is available 24/7 to our groups on tour, should any assistance be required.
CERTIFIED STUDENT TRAVEL ORGANIZATION
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Ellison is a Certified Student Travel Organization (CSTO) – an accreditation given by the Center for Student Travel Safety, an affiliate of the Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA). SYTA is the voice of student travel for tour operators and suppliers worldwide. We are the first tour operator in Canada to receive this certification, which is awarded to companies who have met or exceeded the minimum of 25 safety standards established by the Center and SYTA. SYTA is the only association in the industry equipped to educate student travel providers about all aspects of student travel, with an emphasis on student travel safety and personal and educational enrichment. The standards are derived from the most effective industry practices and are based upon SYTA’s Code of Ethics and reviewed by an objective commission of industry experts. For more information please visit our website.
QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFE TRAVELS? WE’D LOVE TO ANSWER THEM! 1-800-265-7022 ellisontravel.com/safetravels
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WHAT WE OFFER... SCHOLARSHIPS
Secondary school graduates who have travelled on an Ellison Travel & Tours school trip have an opportunity to win a $500 scholarship by submitting a photo from their school trip! For details visit www.ellisontravel.com/scholarships-sponsorships.
OUR REFERRAL PROGRAM
Refer a group to us and we will reward you. Eligible clients include current clients of Ellison Travel & Tours who refer new clients who book a tour with Ellison Travel & Tours. No purchase is required by the referrer of the new client. A new client is defined as one who has never booked travel (group or leisure) with Ellison Travel & Tours. Each referrer will receive a chance to win $100 gift card.
ONLINE PAYMENT PROCESS
This convenient, easy-to-use program allows individual automatic payments from bank/credit cards, removing the burden from the school to collect payments.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL & ENTERPRISE
Ellison Travel is committed to sustainable travel, business and community. We strive to be responsible global citizens – socially and environmentally conscious of our precious planet, its people and its resources. We are acutely aware of the powerful impact our business has on not only our travellers but the environment, people, and communities that we visit. We have the responsibility to leave a positive impact by supporting the well-being of local economies, partnering with responsible travel providers and charity organizations who share our values, and reducing our footprint where possible. As a business, we strive to ensure an inclusive and equitable environment for our staff, and promote the importance of well-being of our people, of our local economy and the broader community. Giving back to the causes we believe in, as well as our local community businesses is ingrained in who we are. Further, we are committed to leading by example.
FULLY CUSTOMIZED TOURS
Ellison’s expert travel planners work with you to create a fully customized travel experience that is unique and suited to the needs of your group. We go the extra mile to ensure every last detail is thought of and looked after.
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MANULIFE GLOBAL TRAVEL INSURANCE AND MANULIFE ELLISON YOUTH PLAN INSURANCE
Giving students the opportunity to explore the world beyond the classroom, whether in another province or country, provides many opportunities for learning but can also lead to the unexpected. Manulife Global Travel Insurance and Manulife Ellison Youth Plan picks up where government health insurance ends and provides additional travel insurance for full-time student groups and their chaperones. Benefits available: *COVID-19 COVERAGE: At the time of purchase ask your group tour planner if/how COVID-19 is covered under this plan. Alternative policies are available that include a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) benefit and this may be a more comprehensive option for your student group.
Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Protection
Before & After Departure
Emergency Medical
up to $5,000,000
Subsistence allowance to pay for necessities during extended stays due to sickness or injury
up to $3,500
Flight Accident Protection
up to $100,000
Travel Accident Protection (at any time during your trip)
up to $50,000
Baggage and personal effects (loss or damage)
up to $1,000
Baggage and personal effects (due to delay)
up to $400
Whether you’re travelling outside your province or out of the country for a few days or for a few months, Manulife offers the personalized coverage you need to be financially protected against the cost of unexpected emergencies that may happen prior to or during your trip. No one expects to have a medical emergency away from home, or to have to cancel a trip due to an unforeseen emergency, but these events happen and they can be disruptive and expensive. Financial security, comprehensive benefits, competitive premiums, easy-to-follow procedures, consumer-friendly documentation, caring assistance and claim services - they’re all part of Manulife. Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption Coverage applies if any one of the following student-specific unforeseen events occurs during the period of coverage: • The requirement that you or your travel companion attend a professional career program examination or a university or college course examination on a date that occurs during your insured trip, provided the examination date which was published prior to the date of application for insurance was subsequently changed after your travel arrangements were made and after you purchased this insurance. • You or your travel companion’s failure of an examination which requires you or your travel companion to re-sit the examination during your insured trip. • The cancellation of your trip by the school board due to a teacher’s labour strike or the school board determines there is a risk of harm to you during your trip when you are scheduled to travel to a specific region of a country. • The school board cancels your trip due to a union directed work to rule job action. (applicable to elementary or secondary schools only) Complete details, definitions, terms & conditions can be found in the Manulife Global Travel Insurance and Manulife Ellison Youth Plan Insurance. As with all insurance policies, conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. Contact us for details. Speak to your travel professional for policy and insurance program details for the Manulife Global Travel Insurance and Manulife Ellison Youth Plan. Manulife Global Travel Insurance and Manulife Ellison Youth Plan is underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and First North American Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife.
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4 EASY STEPS TO PLANNING YOUR TOUR...
1
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION & ACTIVITIES
Decide on what activities are important for your tour! Music? History? Art? Science? Performance? The opportunities are endless!
VATICAN MUSEUMS - ROME
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2
CONSULT YOUR ELLISON PLANNER
Consult with your Ellison planner to customize a tour addressing your curriculum needs and budget to create a life-changing experience for your youth/ student group.
3
LET ELLISON TRAVEL HANDLE THE DETAILS
We take care of the details by booking travel with suppliers that have a reputation for safety and excellence . This ensures you have peace of mind when promoting the tour to your students and parents.
4
DEPART WITH YOUR STUDENTS
We build comprehensive travel documents that give you easy access to all tour details so you can depart with your students confident that your tour will be a success. We're available 24/7 during your tour and are monitoring it as you travel.
We’re with you before, during & after travel. ELLISON TRAVEL & TOURS - 11
EXTRAORDINARY CANADA 12 - ELLISON TRAVEL & TOURS
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"It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw." –Emily Carr
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VANCOUVER & VICTORIA Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Fly Over Canada, Granville Island, Grouse Mountain Skyride & Zipline, Stanley Park
CALGARY & BANFF Banff Upper Hot Springs, Calgary Tower, Colombia Icefields & Glacier Walk, Royal Tyrrell Museum, Studio Bell - home of the National Music Centre, WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park
ST. JOHN'S, NFLD Aquarena, Cape Spear National Historic Site, Fluvarium, Haunted Hike, Johnson GEO Centre, Signal Hill National Historic Site, The Rooms Gallery
HALIFAX Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Fortress of Louisbourg (Cape Breton Island), Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Lunenburg & Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Peggy’s Cove
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TORONTO Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma, CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Ripley’s Aquarium, Royal Ontario Museum, St. Lawrence Market
MONTREAL Museum of Contemporary Art, Notre Dame Basilica, Olympic Park/Montreal Tower, Pointea-Callière, Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, St. Joseph’s Oratory
OTTAWA
QUEBEC CITY
Byward Market, Canadian Museum of History & IMAX, Canadian War Museum, Haunted Walks, National Arts Centre, Parliament Buildings, RCMP Stables, Turtle Island Aboriginal Experience
Artillery Park National Historic Site, Citadelle, Marie's Bread Oven, Montmorency Falls Park, Musée du Fort, Notre Dame Basilica, Plains of Abraham, Sugar Shack Dinner & Entertainment
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OUR NEIGHBOURS USA 16 - ELLISON TRAVEL & TOURS
"New York was a huge success. An amazing musical experience. Carnegie Hall exceeded all expectations. Thanks again for all you have done for us. You have made a lot of people extremely happy." ‑David, Tour to New York City
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R IP CU ST OM IZE DT RA
Arlington National Cemetery, Gettysburg Military Park, Lincoln Memorial, National Archives, Newseum, Smithsonian
CA LL
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WASHINGTON
BOSTON Faneuil Hall & Quincy Marketplace, Freedom Trail Tours, New England Aquarium, Plimouth Plantation & Mayflower, Salem Witch Museum, Spirit of Boston
NEW YORK CITY Broadway Theater, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, MOMA Museum of Modern Art, One World Observatory, Rockefeller Center, Times Square
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CHICAGO
360 Chicago Tilt, Field Museum of Natural History, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Wendella River Cruise
ORLANDO Disney Parks, Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center, Orlando Philharmonic, Seaworld, Universal Studios
NEW ORLEANS Aquarium of the Americas & IMAX, Haunted History Tours, House of Blues Gospel Brunch, Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral, Mardi Gras World, Preservation Hall
SAN FRANCISCO Exploratorim, Golden Gate Bridge National Park, Guided tour of Alcatraz, Hearst Castle, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf
ANAHEIM Anaheim Garden Walk , Angels Baseball & Stadium Tour, Disneyland & Disney California Adventure, Disney Performing Arts, Knotts Berry Farm & Soak City, SeaWorld San Diego, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
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EXPLORE EUROPE
EPHESUS AMPHITHEATER, TURKEY
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"The tour was fabulous. It was well organized, well orchestrated and very inspirational. The hotel and food exceeded our expectations. Through your attention to detail, you made Venice magical. Thank you for your hard work and effort." ‑Wendy, tour to Italy
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IRELAND
GREAT BRITAIN
DUBLIN - Christ Church Cathedral, Trinity College & Book of Kells
LONDON - Big Ben, Churchill
War Rooms, Harry Potter Film Sites Tours, Imperial War Museum, London Eye, Westminster Abbey
ANCIENT EAST - Dunbrody
Famine Ship, Kilkenny Castle, Rock of Cashel
EDINBURGH - Edinburgh
WEST COAST - Bunratty Castle, the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Galway
Castle, Falkirk Wheel, Military Tattoo, World Pipe Band Competition
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
BIG BEN, LONDON
ITALY & VATICAN CITY
SPAIN
BARCELONA - La Pedrera,
ROME - Colosseum, Forum,
Las Ramblas, Picasso Museum, Sagrada Familia
Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Vatican Museums
MADRID - Flamenco Show,
Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Art Museum, Royal Palace
FLORENCE - Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce Basilica, Siena, Uffizi
SEVILLE - Flamenco Museum, Giralda Bell Tower
VENICE - Doges Palace, Rialto
Bridge, St. Mark's Square & Basilica
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GRANADA - Alhambra Palace
& Gardens
COLOSSEUM ROME
PARK GUELL, BARCELONA
ICELAND Blue Lagoon, Dettifoss, Dryholaey Nature Reserve, Eyjafjallajokull Visitor’s Centre, Frioheimar Greenhouse Cultivation Centre, Geysir Geothermal Area, Godafoss, Golden Circle, Gullfoss Waterfalls, Icelandic Horse Show, Jokulsarlon Glacier, Lake Myvatn Geothermal Area, National Museum of Iceland, Perlan Museum, Petra Stone Mineral Collection, Skaftafell National Park, Thingvellir National Park
AUSTRIA VIENNA - Hofburg Palace,
House of Music, Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna Boys’ Choir
SALZBURG - Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart's Residence, Salzburg Cathedral, Sound of Music sites
MELK - Melk Abbey KIRKJUFELL
FRANCE
GERMANY
PARIS - Arc de Triomphe, Chateau de Versailles, Eiffel Tower, Musée du Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral
BERLIN - Alexanderplatz, Berlin Wall Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Marienkirche, Schloss Charlottenburg
PROVENCE - Aix en Provence, Avignon, Nimes, Pont du Gard, Vimy Ridge
MUNICH & BAVARIA -
NORMANDY - Bény sur Mer, Caen Peace Memorial, D-Day Beaches, Juno Beach Centre
EIFFEL TOWER, PARIS
VIENNA
Dachau Concentration Camp, Liebfrauenkirsche UNESCO Site, Marienplatz, Neuschwanstein Castle
BRANDENBURG GATE, BERLIN
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DISCOVER OTHER LANDS 24 - ELLISON TRAVEL & TOURS
Arenal National Park, Baldi Hot Springs, Cerro Chirripo, Gold Museum, Iguana Tree, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest, National Museum of Costa Rica, National Theatre, Osa Peninsula, Playa Samara, Poas Volcano, Tabacon Hot Springs, Tortuga Island, Tortuguero National Park
RINCÓN DE LA VIEJA, COSTA RICA
PERU Inca Archeological Sites of Pisac, Inca Empire of Cusco, Indigenous People of the Andes, Moray Agricultural Terraces, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Women’s Weaving Co-operative
MACHU PICCHU
BRAZIL
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
COSTA RICA
Amazon, Corcovado Hill and Christ the Redeemer Statue, Fernando de Noronha National Park, Iguacu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador da Bahia
SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN
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CHINA
XI'AN - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Terra Cotta Army, Xi'an City Wall BEIJING - Forbidden City, Great Wall
ASIA
of China, Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square
SHANGHAI - Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum, Suzhou & Zoushang Water Villages, Yuyuan Garden
GREAT WALL OF CHINA
HONG KONG Kowloon & Victoria Harbour, Po Lin Monastery, Tai O Fishing Village
HONG KONG SKYLINE
JAPAN Himeji Castle, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Itsukushima Shrine, Kinaku-ki Temple, Kurashki Bikan Historical Quarter, Nagoya Castel, Tokyo
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FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA
AUSTRALIA Alice Springs Reptile Centre, Ayers Rock(Uluru), Koala Conservation Centre (Philip Islands) , Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
NEW ZEALAND Doubtful Sound, Hobbiton Movie Set, Lake Rotorua, Mount Cook National Park, Waitomo Glow-worm Caves, Milford Sound
MILFORD SOUND
SOUTH PACIFIC
SYDNEY HARBOUR
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MUSIC
EXPLORE MUSIC TRIP IDEAS!
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At Ellison Travel & Tours we are respected for the quality and value we offer our music clients and are now the largest Canadian owned tour operator specializing in festival and performing tours. Our tours are customized to your groups’ needs, arranging performance venues and festival registrations worldwide. As the appointed agent for MusicFest Canada, Con Brio Festivals and Show Choir Canada, Ellison Travel & Tours is proud to offer these high quality Canadian festivals to Canadian music students and to music students worldwide. ELLISON TRAVEL & TOURS - 29
PERFORMANCE TOURS
We are continually searching for the best possible locations for groups to perform! We work with you to create a performance opportunity that matches the audience and acoustic experience you are looking for. Combined with a detailed itinerary you are guaranteed a rewarding musical and cultural experience!
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FESTIVALS
We work with quality festivals worldwide and will assist you with festival registration. With your input we’ll plan a detailed itinerary including additional performance opportunities and support you in all aspects of your tour including transportation and/or rental of music equipment.
"Our tour was extremely well organised by Ellison Travel. Every question was answered, any concerns or fears were put to rest. Ellison Travel provided me with the piece of mind I needed to focus on the performing aspect of our trip. I didn't have to worry about travel plans and accommodation or bussing. They took care of it all according to our needs. It was an excellent experience." -Paul, Kamalka High School
WE ARE THE OFFICIALLY APPOINTED TRAVEL PLANNER FOR THE FOLLOWING FESTIVALS
Since 1972, MusicFest Canada has enriched the level of music educations across the nation.
The nation's best Show Choirs Converge on Toronto for the ultimate glee club competition.
Held annually in BC, the Whistler and Sun Peaks Con Brio Festivals provide active learning through participation!
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REMEMBRANCE TOURS Our renowned remembrance tours are designed by Canadians, for Canadians. With our expert local guides and tour managers, we provide you with a memorable, uniquely Canadian perspective.
For details on designing a tour for your student group visit ellisontravel.com/remembrance 32 - ELLISON TRAVEL & TOURS
MONTE CASSINO
BEAUMONT HAMEL
WWII: THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN
WWI: FRANCE/BELGIUM
Sicily Landing & Advance, Moro River Crossing & Ortona, Moro River Cemetery, Monte Cassino, Liri Valley, Cassino Cemetery, Gothic Line, Savio, Senio & Lamone Rivers
Vimy Ridge, Beaumont Hamel, Thiepval, Hill 70, Ypres, Passchendaele, Essex Farm Cemetery, St Julien Monument, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Menin Gate
ABBAYE D'ARDENNE
JUNO BEACH CENTRE
WWII: WAR IN THE AIR
WWII: NORMANDY
Imperial War Museum, Churchill War Rooms, RAF Museum, Dover Castle, La Coupole V2 Museum, Dieppe, Juno Beach, Omaha Beach & Pointe du Hoc, Sainte-Mere Eglise
D-Day Beaches, Pegasus Bridge, Caen, Bayeux, Abbaye d’Ardenne, Benysur-Mer Cemetery, Verrieres Ridge, Bretteville-sur-Laize Cemetery, Falaise Gap
BERLIN
AMSTERDAM
LIBERATION OF THE NETHERLANDS Scheldt Estuary, Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Groesbeek War Cemetery, Groningen, Holten War Cemetery, Nijmegen, Xanten
WWII: NAZI GERMANY BEGINNING OF THE COLD WAR Munich, Dachau, The Eagle’s Nest, Nuremburg Trials Courtroom, Zeppelin Field, Dresden, Berlin, Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin Wall
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YOUR TOUR, YOUR WAY!
Why book your YOUTH/ STUDENT group with us... • • • • • • • • • • •
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Best value for your money Flexible, customized itinerary planning Knowledgeable & experienced travel planners Experienced former educator team members Scholarship & grant programs SYTA-accredited student travel professionals Consumer protection plan Travel alerts & risk management Online payment Comprehensive tour leader binder #SafeTravels stamp – a global initiative to support travel industry safety standards and protocols post-COVID-19.
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CALL US TOLL FREE 1-800-265-7022 EXETER, ON (HEAD OFFICE) 311 MAIN ST., PO BOX 1990, N0M 1S7 519-235-2000 LONDON, ON 4 -1930 HYDE PARK RD., N6H 5L9 519-672-7020 NORTH VANCOUVER, BC 500-224 WEST ESPLANADE, 604-983-2470
CALGARY, AB 587-779-2200 TORONTO, ON 647-792-8869 OTTAWA, ON 613-714-4869
www.ellisontravel.com/student TICO#2392471 CPBC#37951
