Student Travel - Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD WE TRAVEL WITH DISCOVERY TOURS?

Our service is unparalleled.  From the pre-tour planning right through the trip itself, Discovery Tours will work closely with your school to ensure the best trip possible.  Excellent hotels, transportation, meals and attractions are more reasons why you should experience the Discovery Tours difference.

HOW DOES DISCOVERY TOURS DESIGN ITINERARIES?

We custom-design an itinerary exclusively for your group.  Our experienced, professional staff considers requested sites, special appointment times, group size and destination logistics among the variety of items that form your itinerary.  The group will visit the majority of sites that are listed on the original itinerary.  We are able to maximize the sightseeing time because the group will have lectured sightseeing from an experienced guide (on most tours).  Certain appointments have been pre-arranged and you will have a touring day that is longer than a family would usually attempt – approximately 12 hours.

DO WE HAVE STEP-ON-GUIDES FOR THE TOUR?

To ensure that your students experience the best in what a city has to offer, licensed guides are included on most tour packages (in addition to your Tour Manager(s) who accompany the group from start to finish).  In fact, we are the ONLY student travel company in Ohio that provides educational step-on-guides for ALL of our Boston, Civil War Heritage, Cleveland, Gettysburg, French Canada, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Williamsburg tour packages.  While most companies boast that their staff is capable of guide service, nothing compares to licensed, local professional educational guides.

WHAT HOTELS DO YOU USE?

Hotel partners include Hampton Inn, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Marriott, and properties of that quality.  All hotels used by Discovery Tours have inside corridors, no balconies, and space for the group's breakfast.  Our properties are chosen based on convenience of location, safety, cleanliness, as well as the warm hospitality of management and staff.

IS THERE SECURITY IN THE HOTEL?

A professional security staff is used on each hotel floor where your students are staying.  These individuals monitor the hallways from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

WHAT WILL THE MEALS BE LIKE?

Breakfasts usually consist of buffets with both hot and cold items.  Lunches are stops at food courts, where meal money is given to each participant.  Dinners are usually sit-down at buffets, cafeterias, family-style restaurants or theme-style restaurants (i.e., Hard Rock Café, etc.).

WHAT WILL THE TYPICAL TOUR DAY BE LIKE?

Wake-up calls usually begin at 6:00 AM, with breakfast between 7:00 – 7:30 AM.  Sightseeing begins right after breakfast.  After a lunch stop, sightseeing continues until dinner, which typically occurs between 5:30 and 7:00 PM.  An evening tour/activity follows dinner, with the group arriving back at the hotel by 9:00 or 10:00 PM.  Security is on the floor by 11:00 PM, at which point students must be in their rooms.  Final curfew is at the discretion of the school leader.

WHAT TYPE OF SIGHTSEEING TRANSPORTATION WILL WE HAVE?

All sightseeing is aboard deluxe, wide-bodied motor coaches with over-sized windows, climate-control, restrooms, AM/FM stereo and radio and cassette player, VCR/DVD and a cellular phone for emergencies.  And of course, your coach is always driven by professional drivers.  You will have exclusive use of your own motor coach and never be combined with another group unless you specifically make a request.

CAN PARENTS PARTICIPATE ON THE TOUR?

Each trip is unique; therefore parents interested in going on the trip are at the discretion of the tour leader at the school.  There may be an additional surcharge for adults depending on their lodging arrangements.

DO YOU OFFER INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE TOUR?

Yes.  Discovery Tours, its motor coach carriers and all vendors maintain extensive liability insurance.  Supplemental insurance (i.e., accident and illness coverage) is available upon request.

ARE THERE SPECIAL RULES FOR TRIPS TO CANADA?

Yes.  We provide group leaders with information about the documentation needed to pass through customs.  In addition, we'll provide information about bringing purchases back through customs.  We take many students and chaperones to Canada each year and fully understand the requirement for school groups.

WHAT AIRLINES DO YOU USE (IF APPLICABLE)?

We are not a national wholesaler; thus we can secure whatever airline you choose.  Regularly scheduled air flights are used.

DOES THE CURRENT ADVISORY ALERT MEAN THAT TRAVEL IS UNSAFE?

NO! The government is encouraging Americans to go about their lives while being alert and attentive.  The security level is primarily a signal to federal, state and local law enforcement to take additional precautions.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY TRIP?

We are in constant contact with local officials who monitor the status of the destination and site information.

WHAT DOES DISCOVERY TOURS DO TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE PARTICIPANTS?

With more than 35 years of experience, our position on travel and safety has always been the same.  Discovery Tours will not operate a program, or any part of one, if it feels the safety of any participant will be compromised.  Our trips include dedicated evening security, 24-hour emergency service with our office and a full-time Tour Manager who is with the group from departure to arrival (a Tour Manager is typically assigned to every coach with a group).  Discovery Tours has detailed procedures and plans in place for non-planned events that may take place on tour.

Discovery Tours, Inc.
24719 Dundee Drive
Cleveland, OH 44143

TOLL FREE NATIONWIDE
P:  (800) 590.2669
P:  (216) 531.8884
F:  (216) 531.8885
info@discoverycleveland.com

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