PENN STATE BRANDYWINE SEVILLE 2009

Penn State Brandywine
Seville and Lisbon 2009
Tour # 1984
December 29, 2008 - January 6, 2009
From $ 1,525.00 (including air, airport taxes, and fuel surcharge at $372.00)

ITINERARY

Day 1 Monday, December 29     DEPARTURE
Entire group (A+B) departs Newark Airport at 6:05pm with TAP-AIR PORTUGAL overnight flight TP # 104 to Lisbon. Check-in should be around 3:00pm.

Day 2 Tuesday, December 30
Arrive in Lisbon. Whole group divides into Group A and Group B in Lisbon airport.   

Group A takes flight TP # 764 to Seville, departing 9:30am and arriving 11:30am. Transfer by bus to Hotel Don Paco. Check in. Free time for the remainder of the day. Group B is transferred by bus from Lisbon airport to Hotel Berna for overnight stay. NOTE: The famous Alfama district and a fado show at night are a must in Lisbon.

Day 3 Wednesday, December 31
Group A now in Seville. We suggest you take an inexpensive “On and Off” bus tour. A ticket, valid for 24 hours, will get you oriented in this beautiful city. Check the locations of the Main Plaza, the cathedral (a pre 1492 former mosque) with its “La Giralda” bell tower, The Alcazar (Moorish palace), the old Jewish district (called Barrio Santa Cruz), Fine Arts Museum (Velasquez born here!), the “Gold Tower”, river front, bridges, Maria Luisa Park and Roman ruins of Italica. There are also shops galore and sidewalk cafes for relaxing and enjoying the early, warm spring!

Group B is transferred from Hotel Berna to Lisbon airport for flight TP # 764, departing at 9:30am and arriving Seville at 11:30am. Transfer by bus to Hotel Don Paco. Check-in. Free time for the remainder of the day.Remember tonight is New Year’s Eve… Groups A and B may wish to “bring in 2009” together. We’ll make sure you are informed about local festivities.

Day 4 Thursday, January 1 (Groups A and B are now together)
Free day in Seville or 7 hour optional excursion to Cordoba to visit the renowned cathedral incorporating the pre-1492 Great Mosque, the beautiful old district and the birthplace of Moses Maimonides,12th century precursor of Western Humanist thought.

Day 5 Friday, January 2
Free day in Seville or 12 hour optional excursion to Granada, city of snow capped peaks and palm trees. Visit the world famous (pre-1492) Alhambra, with its Moorish gardens. Also of interest is the cathedral with tombs of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel, patrons of Columbus in 1492. There’ll be time too for shopping in a typical market.

Day 6 Saturday, January 3
Free day in Seville or full day optional excursion to Tangiers, Morocco. View Gibraltar as you cross the Straits by ferry and then experience a new continent! Visit the Kasbah with its carpet shops, Arabian restaurants and spice shops. Perhaps ride a camel! Return to Seville late evening.

Day 7 Sunday, January 4
Free day in Seville (see Day 3 above for suggested sites to visit in depth) followed by an optional evening’s entertainment of Andalucian guitar music and Flamenco dancing.

Day 8 Monday, January 5
Group A early transfer to airport. Flight # TP 769 departs for Lisbon at 7:05am. Transfer to Hotel Lutetia for check-in (from 2pm). Free for the rest of the day.
NOTE: The famous Alfama district and a fado show at night are a must in Lisbon.    

Group B remains in Seville. Free day for shopping.

Day 9 Tuesday, January 6
Group A is transferred to Lisbon Airport at 1:00pm for flight # TP 103 departing at 11:45am.

Group B is transferred to Seville Airport at 5:00am for flight # TP 769 departing at 7:05am for Lisbon. Arrive 7:00am. Groups A and B together depart on flight # TP 103 leaving Lisbon at 11:45am, arriving Newark at 3:15pm.

Important Notes: Times indicated above for flights are based on TAP AIR PORTUGAL schedule for July 2008 and are subject to possible changes.

Regarding this specific trip. Seat reservations on the flights are on a first come first served basis. Group A will be accommodated first. When Group A is full, we will begin registering Group B. If you wish to travel with friends or family members, be sure all persons concerned register at the same time. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to move you from group A to B or vice versa, although we’ll do our utmost to accommodate you.

The word “optional” in the itinerary means that an excursion is not required for a course unless a teacher has specifically notified students that it is.

During your stay, notices will be posted in an easily visible place in the hotel lobby to inform you of spontaneous group activities, changes of plans, recommendations of places to eat, advice, etc.

Air Schedule
Group A
    December 29   TP 104  EWR LIS   6:05pm -   6:05am
    December 30   TP 764  LIS SVQ    9:30am - 11:30am
    January 5        TP 769  SVQ LIS    7:05am -   7:00am
    January 6        TP 103  LIS EWR  11:45am -  3:15pm

Group B
    December 29   TP 104  EWR LIS    6:05pm -   6:05am
    December 31   TP 764  LIS SVQ     9:30am - 11:30am
    January 6        TP 769  SVQ LIS     7:05am -   7:00am
    January 6        TP 103  LIS EWR  11:45am -   3:15pm

Hotel Addresses

 Hotel Don Paco
 Pl Padre Jeronimo de Cordoba 4-5
 E-41003 Sevilla
 Tel: 011 34 95 4506999  

 Hotel Lutecia
 Ave. Frei Miguel Contreiras 52
 1749-086 Lisbon                                                                                                   Tel: 011 351 21 8411300                             

PRICE $ 1,525.00

This price includes:

• Round trip air fare from Newark airport with TAP AIR PORTUGAL.
• Airport taxes of approximately $112.00 as per August 2008 rate subject to change at time of ticketing.
• "Q" fuel surcharge tax of $260.00 as per August 2008 rate and subject to change at time of ticketing.
• 6 nights accommodation in Seville at 3-star centrally located Hotel Don Paco.
• Group A 1 night Hotel Lutecia Lisbon January 5 2009.
• Group B 1 night Hotel Berna Lisbon December 30, 2008.
• Buffet breakfast daily.
• Bus transfers hotel-airport and airport-hotel in Seville and Lisbon.
• Supervision by Penn State faculty.
• Services of Celestial Voyagers Tour Manager.

This price does not include:

• Single room supplement + $ 405.00.
• Entrance fees to tourist sites/museums etc.
  Note: Showing US Student or Senior ID might merit discount in Spain or Portugal.
• Optional excursions as follows:
  Full day to Cordoba $70.00
  Full day to Granada $99.00
  Full day to Tangiers, Morocco via Gibraltar $165.00
  Evening flamenco show in Seville $55.00                                                  

• Meals (except daily breakfast).
• Personal expenses for phone calls, drinks, laundry, etc.
• Meals other than specified.
• Penn State Student Compulsory Insurance:                                                          For students under 26 years of age $18.00                                                 For students 26 years of age or above $27.00
• Passport & visa fee
  IMPORTANT! Indicate your nationality to Celestial Voyagers on first registering for the trip. All participants must have a passport valid through July 6, 2009. Some non-U.S. citizens may also require a Schengen visa in addition to a passport. Check with the Spanish and/or Portuguese consulates.
• Visitors fee $ 77.00
  This sum, which includes compulsory Penn State Insurance, is required from any participant who does not have a student, faculty, or staff I.D card issued by Penn State University. The funds are applied toward grants to enable worthy Penn State Brandywine students to join our trips when they would otherwise be unable to do so for financial reasons.
• Optional travel insurance.

REGISTRATION

Trip Registration versus Course Registration

All travel arrangements are made through Celestial Voyagers, a fully insured tour operator (800 651 6262). Do not contact Penn State professors or employees regarding flights, hotels or travel information. They may not have the very latest information.

Course Registration

A number of Penn State 3-credit courses, not requiring regular attendance at Brandywine campus, are offered in combination with all Brandywine International Studies trips. Approved full time students at all Penn State Campuses are eligible to take two courses (6 credits) at no additional cost. To establish eligibility at any Penn State campus, the student should obtain his/her adviser’s permission to register then receive the confirmation of approval from the Brandywine DAA and from the teacher of the course. The courses may also be taken by non-Penn State students for transfer-credit, but in those cases the applicable tuition fee will apply.

Course Description

ENGL 184/CM LIT 184 (GH) The Short Story       Dr. Barbara Daniel (bfd1@psu.edu)English 184
The Short Story, focuses on short friction from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This special section of ENGL 184 emphasizes short stories in translation by a number of Spanish writers, as well as the short stories of two Americans: Ernest Hemingway, whose writing was influenced by his visits to Spain and his reporting on the Spanish Civil War, and Washington Irving, who lived in Spain for a number of years and wrote about his fascination with the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

HD FS 287W (GS:GI) Intercultural Community Bldg.      Dr. Michael Madden (mem28@psu.edu)
This course focuses on cross-cultural comparison and contrasting. It is made up of two parts: Proposal and Portfolio. Your Proposal must be completed, submitted and approved by the instructor before the trip. The Portfolio completion date will be determined by instructor. The intention of this course is involve you in a cross-cultural experience. You will research and construct a model for the contrasting of social issues utilizing your background in HDFS. A support group will be developed through out this program.

SPAN 130 (GH) Iberian Civilization            Dr. Alita Kelley (kak7@psu.edu)
THE PURPOSE of the course is to broaden the student’s horizons so that s/he will be able to make the most of the trip and in the case of students travelling abroad for the first time, to dispel apprehension. While knowledge of the foreign language is not required, the course will include instructions on concepts of politeness and courtesy, and basic expressions needed to “get along” in a country where the language is not one’s own.

THEA 105/100 (GA) Introduction to Theatre      James Symmons (jxs421@psu.edu)
Theatre art is an expression of creativity and diversity. It is living art, forever changing and responding to the world around it. Theatre productions are small episodes of life in the world in which we live. It is of our own choosing and experience. This course will explore the life of Federico Garcia Lorca through selected plays, films and performances. We will study the human diversity, cultural, social, political, musical and the classical nature of selected plays by Lorca and local theatre in Seville and Granada. We will see at least three plays, professional class production, in Seville and nearby communities supported by a trip to Madrid where we will visit the Garcia Lorca Theater and attend a lecture on the history and development of its theatre program. On campus seminars will include discussion of plays, playwrights, actors and directors. Films will be incorporated to enhance understanding, theme, styles, customs, theories and characterizations.

For information regarding Penn State University courses contact the Brandywine Campus Registrar’s office:                                                                 
Contact: Mrs. Joanna McGowan
Tel: 610 892 140
E-mail: jxm1019@psu.edu

Do not try to get any information or to register by touch-tone for courses connected to trips.

Trip Registration

All participants planning to share a room must inform Celestial Voyagers of their roommate(s) name(s) when they register for the trip. Failure to do so may oblige Celestial Voyagers to assign you a different roommate. You may also be scheduled to travel on different flights and therefore be unable to visit Lisbon together.

Registration online:
http://www.celestialvoyagers.com/html/reservations.htm
1) Fill out information.
i.e. Destination: SEVILLE; Tour Name: Brandywine Seville; Tour number: #1984; etc.
2) In “comments” be sure to indicate (as applicable) a) Whether you require a single or double room b) The optional tours you are interested in.  
3) Mail your $ 300.00 deposit together with a photocopy of your passport (if available) to Celestial Voyagers within 48 hours.

Celestial Voyagers
79 Watermill Lane
Great Neck, NY 11021

Registration by mail:
Brochures are available at Penn State Brandywine Campus in the following locations: Library, Lounge and Room 129 of the Vairo Building, Registrars Office, Main Building. Or contact Gail Wray, Administrative Assistant, Phone: 610 892 1472, Email: gbw1@psu.edu.

Complete the registration form included in the brochure and mail it to Celestial Voyagers with your $ 300.00 deposit and a photocopy of your passport (if available).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Celestial Voyagers terms and conditions are linked to contracts with airlines and hotels. Strict regulations apply that are beyond the control of either Penn State or Celestial Voyagers. All reservations are on a first come, first served basis. Early registration and prompt final payment guarantees the participant first choice where options exist. Our “due dates” are set in order to secure prices and options with airlines. The late fee applies when payments have not been received by the due date and is unavoidable.

Space may still be available after final due date indicated, but prices at that time will be stipulated by the airline and will depend on availability of seats at time ticket is issued.

Deposit $300.00
Deposit is due with registration on or before September 26, 2008. All payments by check to be made to Celestial Voyagers escrow account. 
        
Balance due no later than November 14, 2008.

Late Fee: $100.00 or more late fee for payment received after November 14, 2008.

Credit card payments:
We accept Visa and Mastercard. Since Merchant fees are not included in the price, should you wish to pay by credit card, a 3.5% supplement applies to the amount paid.

Cancellation:
All cancellations must be received in writing. In case of cancellation the following penalties will apply:

• $150.00 processing fee.
• $150.00 penalty for cancellation received between Sept. 27 and Oct. 28, 2008.
• 50% of cost of trip for cancellations received between Oct 29 and Nov 27, 2008.
• 100% of cost of trip for cancellations received on or after November 28, 2008 and in case of no-shows.

Travel Insurance

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Pre Departure Meeting

Airline tickets and travel documents will be delivered in person at 12 noon, Friday December 12, 2008, in Room 215 Main Building, Penn State Brandywine Campus,
25 Yearsley Mill Road, Lima (Media), PA [off Route 352]. Tel: 610 892 1415

Attendance at this pre-departure meeting is strongly advised. Questions will be answered to put your mind at rest. If you cannot attend or send a reliable person to pick up your tickets, contact your professor so alternative arrangements can be made.

Special Delivery of Documents

If you cannot attend the above meeting nor have the documents collected, Celestial Voyagers can send them via special delivery, FEDEX or US Postal Service.

Someone must be at the mailing address in order to sign for the documents when they are delivered. This service will be charged to you separately. A $20.00 mailing fee will apply.

CONTACTS

Penn State University Brandywine
Dr. Alita Kelley
Phone: 610-918-3793 or 484-574-1397
E-mail: kak7@psu.edu

Dr. Michael Madden
Tel 610-891-0182
E-mail: madden_601@yahoo.com

Celestial Voyagers
79 Watermill Lane
Great Neck, NY 11021
Francoise, Leigh or Susy
Phone: 516 829 1525 or toll-free 800 651 6262
Fax: 516 829 0703
Email : susy@celestialvoyagers.com

Family and/or friends of Penn State students, faculty and employees are
welcome on our trips!