FROM THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Robson Marinho, PhD
Personal Blog: http://robsonmarinho1.blogspot.com/
Tour Upgrade and Itinerary Change
Our Study Tour has got a new shape and upgraded adventures: Instead of three countries, we will now visit six countries as follows: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Poland and Germany! For the first time ever, our Study Tour will include a night cruise on the Baltic Sea from Copenhagen to Stockholm, and another one from Stockholm to Helsinki, so you can feel the charming atmosphere of Scandinavia!
ATTENTION: New Departure Date!
VERY IMPORTANT: In order to take advantage of this offer, we need a new departure date, which is: THURSDAY, MAY 31, at 6:00 pm from Chicago.
This will add 3 extra days to the original plan for an extended itinerary. Hope you all can make this schedule adjustment. HOWEVER, just in case any of you cannot fly on Thursday, due to work or other appointments, no problem. Arrangements can be made for those who want to fly on Saturday night and arrive on Sunday. I hope the whole group can fly together, but if not, I need to know by this Thursday if anyone needs to fly on Saturday night. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after much negotiation, this is the only reasonable choice we have at this point. If you have any questions, please email me at marinho@andrews.edu.
Change on Meal Plan
Since this is part of a closed tour package, breakfast and dinner are included every day at the cost previously required for separate meals. In other words, instead of you bringing $500 for separate meals, the $500 is charged to your student account upon registration, and breakfast and dinner are included. Please make sure you understand this change and feel comfortable this way. Also, please note:
- It is recommended that you bring some cash at your discretion for personal expenses and extra meals/snacks
- The days when we fly from and to Chicago, no meals are provided other than served on the plane.
- Tour guides always expect daily tips from the passengers.
- If you have any questions, please email me at marinho@andrews.edu.
ATTENTION: Air Tickets Payment
All the air tickets will be issued and paid this coming Thursday, December 22, in order to guarantee the current rate. You don’t have to make any payment now, because all expenses will be covered when you register for the Study Tour. However, please keep in mind that the air tickets are non-refundable, which means that, in case of any cancelation, the ticket price will be charged to your student account anyway. Only the guest participants need to make the payment now, since they will not register for credit. Guests please contact me for payment arrangements by this Thursday, December 22. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Flight Information Required NOW
Please double check your name on the list below to make sure your name matches what you have on your passport, because no change will be accepted after the air tickets are issued. Make sure the spelling is correct. Besides, in order to book the flights and issue your ticket, please email me at marinho@andrews.edu the following information by this Wednesday, December 21:
1. Name of passenger as it appears on passport
2. Passport number, expiration date of passport, country of passport
3. Passengers date of birth
4. Passengers nationality
5. Gender of passenger
6. Address of passenger and cell phone contact (for delays/cancellations)
7. Seat preference
8. Frequent flyer number for United Airlines (if applicable)
Hotel Information
According to our travel agent, all hotels are high quality hotels, so this is another great deal of this new package. The rooms will be assigned on a double occupancy basis. For those who may prefer, single rooms are also available at an extra fee of $1,260.00, to be charged to the participant’s account upon registration. Those who need this option, please email me authorizing this extra charge.
Russian Visa REQUIRED
Russian visa is required for all US passport holders, so you should plan applying for a visa at least three months in advance (passport holders of other countries must check on specific requirements). Make sure you have a valid passport for at least 6 months beyond the date of application. In case you need to renew your passport, you must do it now. PARTICIPANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PASSPORTS AND VISA. You can apply for the Russian visa online, but you will need documents to be issued by the travel agent after we make final arrangements. Such documents will be provided between January and February so we may have plenty of time for visa applications. For more information on how to apply online for a Russian Visa, please visit: http://russia.visahq.com/
Tentative Itinerary
This trip is filled with color, unique cultures and enthralling history. Visit coastal Copenhagen, striking Helsinki and island-ringed Stockholm, then travel between St. Petersburg and Moscow. Later, get acquainted with Minsk’s Soviet style and Warsaw’s Gothic churches. Please check the new tentative itinerary below.
Day 1, Thursday May 31 - DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Copenhagen.
Overnight flight to Copenhagen.
Day 2, Friday June 1 - ARRIVE COPENHAGEN (3 NIGHTS)Welcome to Copenhagen, capital of Denmark. After check-in Relax and unwind after check-in.
Afternoon: visit University of Copenhagen
Hotel Scandic Sydhavnen (First Class)
Day 3, Saturday June 2 - COPENHAGEN
In the morning, relax and enjoy our cross cultural worship and interaction meeting. After or take a stroll through the city! Later meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers.
In the morning, relax and enjoy our cross cultural worship and interaction meeting. After or take a stroll through the city! Later meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers.
Day 4, Sunday, June 3 - COPENHAGEN SIGHTSEEING
Your expert Local Guide takes you on a morning sightseeing tour, which includes the Little Mermaid, the Renaissance Stock Exchange, Royal Amalienborg Palace and Christiansborg Palace. Spend the rest of the day exploring the sights of your choice or shopping.
Your expert Local Guide takes you on a morning sightseeing tour, which includes the Little Mermaid, the Renaissance Stock Exchange, Royal Amalienborg Palace and Christiansborg Palace. Spend the rest of the day exploring the sights of your choice or shopping.
(Scandinavian buffet breakfast & dinner)
Day 5, Monday, June 4 - COPENHAGEN - STOCKHOLM
Cross the Oresund into Sweden and travel north through lush forests and meadows bordering the shores of Lake Vättern. Continue northwards to Stockholm, Sweden’s beautiful capital surrounded by islands. (Scandinavian buffet breakfast & dinner)
Hotel Scandic Kungen Kurva (First Class)
Cross the Oresund into Sweden and travel north through lush forests and meadows bordering the shores of Lake Vättern. Continue northwards to Stockholm, Sweden’s beautiful capital surrounded by islands. (Scandinavian buffet breakfast & dinner)
Hotel Scandic Kungen Kurva (First Class)
Day 6, Tuesday, June 5 - STOCKHOLM - AT SEA
Admire Stockholm’s biggest landmarks this morning with your knowledgeable Local Guide, with views of the Royal Palace and City Hall. Built on a maze of islands accessible by bridges, Stockholm is an interesting city to wander through. Don’t miss the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere before embarking on your mini-cruise to Finland!
Admire Stockholm’s biggest landmarks this morning with your knowledgeable Local Guide, with views of the Royal Palace and City Hall. Built on a maze of islands accessible by bridges, Stockholm is an interesting city to wander through. Don’t miss the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere before embarking on your mini-cruise to Finland!
(Scandinavian buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7, Wednesday, June 6 - AT SEA - HELSINKI
Arrive early in Finland's capital for a sightseeing tour with your expert Local Guide. View Finlandia Hall, the Senate and market squares, sweeping boulevards and the beautiful domed Russian church. The rest of the day is yours.
Arrive early in Finland's capital for a sightseeing tour with your expert Local Guide. View Finlandia Hall, the Senate and market squares, sweeping boulevards and the beautiful domed Russian church. The rest of the day is yours.
Afternoon: Visit University of Helsinki
(Scandinavian buffet breakfast & dinner)
Hotel Radisson Blu Espoo (Superior First Class)
Hotel Radisson Blu Espoo (Superior First Class)
Day 8, Thursday, June 7 - HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG (3 NIGHTS)
Follow the Finnish coast past the timber centre of Kotka, across the border into Russia and on through the town of Vyborg. Admire the scenery as you traverse the forests of Karelia, arriving later in St. Petersburg for a two-night stay. Enjoy complimentary champagne with dinner tonight! (Scandinavian buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel Park Inn Pulkovskaya (First Class)
Follow the Finnish coast past the timber centre of Kotka, across the border into Russia and on through the town of Vyborg. Admire the scenery as you traverse the forests of Karelia, arriving later in St. Petersburg for a two-night stay. Enjoy complimentary champagne with dinner tonight! (Scandinavian buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel Park Inn Pulkovskaya (First Class)
Day 9, Friday, June 8 - ST. PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING
The Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Statue of Peter the Great all feature on your guided sightseeing tour. Explore St. Peter and Paul Fortress and spend the rest of the day as you wish. You might like to visit the residence of Peter the Great in Petrodvorets.
The Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Statue of Peter the Great all feature on your guided sightseeing tour. Explore St. Peter and Paul Fortress and spend the rest of the day as you wish. You might like to visit the residence of Peter the Great in Petrodvorets.
Afternoon: Visit St. Petersburg State University – 2:00-4:00 pm
(Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Day 10, Saturday, June 9 - ST. PETERSBURG
In the morning, relax and enjoy our cross cultural worship and interaction meeting. In the afternoon, visit the Hermitage Museum.
In the morning, relax and enjoy our cross cultural worship and interaction meeting. In the afternoon, visit the Hermitage Museum.
(Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Day 11, Sunday, June 10 - MOSCOW (2 NIGHTS)
In the morning, fly to Moscow. In the afternoon, Visit the Kremlin. Known as a massive, red-walled city within a city, containing many monuments of history and a residence of the Tsars and subsequent rulers, the Kremlin is absolutely the symbol of Russia.
In the morning, fly to Moscow. In the afternoon, Visit the Kremlin. Known as a massive, red-walled city within a city, containing many monuments of history and a residence of the Tsars and subsequent rulers, the Kremlin is absolutely the symbol of Russia.
(Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Day 12, Monday, June 11 - MOSCOW SIGHTSEEING
Moscow is a city full of wonderful buildings and monuments! Your knowledgeable Local Guide shows you an array of sights including Red Square, the Kremlin Walls and the domed St. Basil's Cathedral. In your free time, consider visiting the impressive Treasure Chamber of the Tsars. (Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Moscow is a city full of wonderful buildings and monuments! Your knowledgeable Local Guide shows you an array of sights including Red Square, the Kremlin Walls and the domed St. Basil's Cathedral. In your free time, consider visiting the impressive Treasure Chamber of the Tsars. (Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Afternoon: Visit Moscow State University – 2-4 pm
Day 13, Tuesday, June 12 - MOSCOW - MINSK
Drive past the region of Borodino, site of Napoleon's great defeat, and stop for lunch near Smolensk. Later, cross the border into Belarus and continue to Minsk. After the Second World War the city was rebuilt in supreme Soviet style, which you can see during your orientation tour: wide avenues give on to gargantuan concrete buildings. It’s another world! Dine tonight at your hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Hotel Jubileynaya (Superior Tourist)
Drive past the region of Borodino, site of Napoleon's great defeat, and stop for lunch near Smolensk. Later, cross the border into Belarus and continue to Minsk. After the Second World War the city was rebuilt in supreme Soviet style, which you can see during your orientation tour: wide avenues give on to gargantuan concrete buildings. It’s another world! Dine tonight at your hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Hotel Jubileynaya (Superior Tourist)
Day 14, Wednesday, June 13 - MINSK - BREST - WARSAW (2 NIGHTS)
Traverse the huge plains of Belarus and stop for lunch at Brest on the Polish frontier. Afterwards, cross the River Vistula and arrive later in Warsaw, Poland’s capital. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch)
Novotel Warsaw Centrum (First Class)
Traverse the huge plains of Belarus and stop for lunch at Brest on the Polish frontier. Afterwards, cross the River Vistula and arrive later in Warsaw, Poland’s capital. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch)
Novotel Warsaw Centrum (First Class)
Day 15, Thursday, June 14 - WARSAW SIGHTSEEING
Your expert Local Guide shows you the site of the Warsaw Ghetto and the landmarks of Warsaw’s Old Town, which was almost entirely destroyed during the Second World War. Later, you might like to soak up the city’s culture and nightlife. (Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Your expert Local Guide shows you the site of the Warsaw Ghetto and the landmarks of Warsaw’s Old Town, which was almost entirely destroyed during the Second World War. Later, you might like to soak up the city’s culture and nightlife. (Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Day 16, Friday, June 15 - WARSAW - BERLIN (2 NIGHTS)
Travel west across the plains of central Poland and over the border into Germany, arriving later in the exciting city of Berlin! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel Park Plaza Prenzlauerberg (Moderate First Class)
Travel west across the plains of central Poland and over the border into Germany, arriving later in the exciting city of Berlin! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel Park Plaza Prenzlauerberg (Moderate First Class)
Day 17, Saturday, June 16 - BERLIN SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
From the Reichstag Building to the Tiergarten, Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden Boulevard and the German State Opera House, your experienced Local Guide shows you all Berlin’s highlights this morning. Spend the rest of the day seeing the sights of your choice, or perhaps join an optional excursion exploring the city’s secret past.
From the Reichstag Building to the Tiergarten, Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden Boulevard and the German State Opera House, your experienced Local Guide shows you all Berlin’s highlights this morning. Spend the rest of the day seeing the sights of your choice, or perhaps join an optional excursion exploring the city’s secret past.
In the afternoon, relax and enjoy our cross cultural worship and interaction meeting.
(Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Say goodbye to your Travel Director and travelling companions at the end of your memorable holiday. Transfers are available to Berlin Tegel Airport. (Buffet Breakfast)
List of Participants
This is the updated list of participants. Please double check your name below to make sure it is according to your passport. If you don’t see your name on the list below, that means that we don’t have your application form, so you need to provide it immediately in order to be included in the tour. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Name
|
Program
|
Comments
|
1. Amilah Jamieson
|
Higher Education
| |
2. Chantal Joanis
|
Higher Education
| |
3. Ndalahwa Masanja
|
Higher Education
| |
4. Sharese Swafford
|
Higher Education
| |
5. Renaude Saint-Phard
|
Higher Education
| |
6. Jeanne Katia Lopes
|
Higher Education
| |
7. Hilda Scott
|
Educ. Leadership
| |
8. Bill Colwell
|
Leadership
| |
9. Cheolmin Jo
|
Leadership
| |
10. Christiane Theiss
|
Leadership
| |
11. Cary Valentine
|
Leadership
| |
12. Everette B. Samuel
|
Leadership
| |
13. Luis Mancebo
|
Leadership
| |
14. Ralph Chatoor
|
Leadership
| |
15. Shawn Collins
16. Beverly Collins,
17. Noah Collins
18. Kendall Collins
|
Leadership
| |
Guest
| ||
Guest
| ||
Guest
| ||
19. Timothy Privette
|
Leadership
| |
20. Winston Crawford
|
M. Div.
| |
21. Rose Monroe
|
Higher Education
|
Pending Application
|
22. Robson Marinho
|
Coordinator
|
Contact
If you have any questions about the tour, please feel free to email me at marinho@andrews.edu.
Higher Education Administration Andrews University, School of Education, Berrien Springs, MI 49104-0114
Phone: 269.471.3200 or Fax: 269-471-6560
Email: marinho@andrews.edu
Phone: 269.471.3200 or Fax: 269-471-6560
Email: marinho@andrews.edu
