PENN STATE BRANDYWINE GUATEMALA 2009

Penn State Brandywine
Guatemala 2009
Tour # 1990
March 6 - March 15, 2009
From $ 1,495.00

ITINERARY

Day 1 Friday, March 6     DEPARTURE
Depart from Philadelphia airport to Guatemala City, via Atlanta, then continuation to Flores.

Day 2 Saturday, March 7    FLORES
Full day excursion to the Mayan ruins of Tikal. Coach transfer to Tikal and guided tour. Lunch is Included.

Day 3 Sunday, March 8     SANTIAGO
Morning flight to return to Guatemala City. Transfer to Lake Atitlan. Brief group meeting on arrival. Afternoon free. Dinner and evening meeting with Community Services coordinators. Stay at the lovely Hotel La Posada for the next 5 nights.

Day 4 Monday, March 9     SANTIAGO
Morning on-site orientation and beginning of Service Project. Early afternoon group meeting. Late afternoon and evening free.

Day 5 Tuesday, March 10     SANTIAGO
On-site Service Project in the morning. Afternoon optional guided walking tour of Santiago. Evening free.

Day 6 Wednesday, March 11     SANTIAGO
On-site Service project in the morning. Afternoon free.

Day 7 Thursday, March 12     SANTIAGO
On-site Service Project in the morning. Afternoon optional hike to ancient Mayan archeological site in the afternoon. Evening group gathering.

Day 8 Friday, March 13     ANTIGUA
At noon, coach transfer to Antigua. Overnight at Hotel Aurora (or similar). Optional afternoon tour of Antigua. Evening free.

Day 9 Saturday, March 14     ANTIGUA
All day free in Antigua for sight-seeing. Shopping or optional day trip to volcano.

Day 10 Sunday, March 15     RETURN
Transfer to Guatemala City airport. Delta Airlines flight DL 342 return to Philadelphia via Atlanta. Departure from Guatemala City is at 12:31pm. Expected time of arrival in Philadelphia is 10:14am. (Schedule as per May 2008 subject to change).

AIR SCHEDULE
The exact time of these flights is subject to change and will be reconfirmed. Check-in at the airport should be 3 hours prior to departure time.

DL1005    March 5 PHL ATL 6:00am - 8:08am
DL 343     March 6 ATL GUA 9:50am - 12:21pm
DL 342     March 15 GUA ATL 12:3pm - 6:06pm
DL1022    March 15ATL PHL 8:00pm - 10:02pm

HOTEL ADDRESSES
2 nights in Flores - to be advised
5 nights in Lake Atitlan - La Posada Hotel
                                      Apto. 1
                                      Santiago Atitlan 07019
                                      Tel: 011 502 7721-7366
2 nights in Antigua - Hotel Aurora
                               Cuarta Calle Oriente No. 16
                               Tel: 011 502 7832-0217

PRICE $1,495.00

This price includes:

• Delta Airlines flights from Philadelphia to Guatemala City via Atlanta.
• Airport taxes at approximately $100.00 subject to change at time of ticketing.
• “Q” tax representing the fuel surcharge @ $300.00 as of August 15, 2008 subject to change at time of ticketing.
• Hotel accommodation based on double occupancy:
       2 nights in Flores
       5 nights in Santiago at Hotel La Posada, with meals
       2 nights in Antigua
• Breakfast daily + lunch and dinner at Hotel La Posada.
• Excursions and sightseeing as per itinerary.
• Transportation by motor coach for all transfers.
• Supervision by Penn State faculty members.

This price does not include:

• Tikal excursion by air + $350.00: including round trip airfare, transfers, lunch, guided tour.
• Single room supplement for 9 nights + $380.00 (Upon request only, it may not be available).
• 2 nights hotel supplement in Guatemala City if you do not go to Tikal + $50.00
• Local and International departure taxes of approximately $10.00.
• Tips for drivers and tour guides.
• Meals other than those specified.
• Cost of personal items such as phone, drinks, laundry, etc.
• Optional travel insurance covering trip cancellation in case of medical reasons – contact Celestial Voyagers for details.
• Visitor's fee for participants who do not have a Penn State ID - $50.00
• All travelers, students and visitors must purchase the required HTH health insurance for international travel at a cost of $6.75. Website for on-line enrollment will be provided.
• Passport and visa fee
  Everyone needs a passport valid until September16, 2009. If you are not an American citizen a visa may be required. A green card is compulsory.

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

CI 296A Service Project in Guatemala         Norma Notzold (non1@psu.edu)
CI 296A is an independent study course for which students will complete assignments during January and February which will prepare them for their community service-learning experience from March 6 – 15 in Guatemala. Following the service-learning project students will present results of their research to the campus community as part of EURECA during the third week in April. While providing service to selected schools, a library a hospital and community agencies in Santiago, Guatemala, students will have an opportunity to reflect upon their experiences in a way that will affect their understanding of themselves and of the greater world in which we live.

CM LIT 153 Comparative Literature         Barbara Daniel (bfd1@psu.edu)
CM LIT 153 is designed to help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of the Mayan and Ladino cultures in Guatemala through a study of their ancient and modern literature and relevant films. This eclectic exploration will help you to work respectfully and effectively with the Maya people in Santiago Atitlan and to reflect on that experience in light of their tumultuous history.

For information regarding Penn State University courses contact the Brandywine Campus Registrar’s office:
Contact: Mrs. Joanna McGowan
Tel: 610 892 1401
Email 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 different roommates.

Trip Registration Online

Click here: http://www.celestialvoyagers.com/html/reservations.htm

1) Fill out information
i.e. Destination: Guatemala; Tour Name: Brandywine Guatemala Tour number: #1990; etc.
2) In “comments” be sure to indicate the name of your roommate if you have one.
3) Mail your $ 150.00 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

Trip 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 & 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 pricing at that time will be stipulated by the airline and will depend on availability of seats at time ticket is issued.

Deposit $150.00 (non refundable) due prior to December 4, 2008.
Your deposit will assure your reservation with the airline, the hotel and other suppliers. Your deposit must be sent with a copy of your passport, the registration here enclosed and the optional travel insurance premium if you choose so.
Balance due no later than December 5, 2008
All payments by check to be made out to Celestial Voyagers escrow account

Late Fee: $100.00 or more, applicable for registration and/or balance payments received December 5, 2008 or later.

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.
• 50% of total price for cancellations Dec 6 – Jan 20, 2009.
• 100% of total price for cancellations on Jan. 21 or in case of no-show.

Travel Insurance

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Pre-departure meeting
Airline tickets and travel documents will be delivered in person at 12 noon, Friday February 20, 2009 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 Univeristy York
Barbara Daniel
Phone: (610) 892-1457
E-mail: bfd1@psu.edu

Norma Notzold
Phone: (610) 892-1460
E-mail: non1@psu.edu
Or
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!