Student Workshop - Daily Organization

Student Workshop
Daily Organization – Italy Arts Tour 2008
February 8, 2008

Prepare yourself at the start of the day before you leave the hotel for the entire day/evening ahead. Use the checklist below as a guide on what to make sure you have before setting out for the activities planned for each day. A daily checklist will be given to you to paste into your journal closer to our departure date!

Daily Organization Checklist
Tour Jacket
Appropriate clothing for the weather – dress in comfortable layers that you can easily remove if you get too hot or add if you are cold.
Bank Card or money (maximum 50 Euros per day – we are NOT suggesting that you spend this amount everyday as on most days there will only be the occasion to purchase lunch approximately 10 Euros.)
School uniform if we will be performing that day (we will notify you the evening before)
Hip sack or travel pack to hold a pen, journal, camera, gum, sunglasses, lip baum, etc.
Ipods and electronic games/dvd players are NOT permitted to travel with you during our days of touring with the exception of our long bus trip days (we will notify you of those days the evening before)

Safety and awareness
It is very important to be aware of yourself and your surroundings when traveling. Be aware of your belongings and the proximity of those around you. It is very easy to get distracted by the new sights and sounds around you, so you must remind yourself to be conscience of your surroundings. Use the buddy system especially when shopping. This means that you look out for your partner when he is taking his money out to pay and he does the same for you in return.

Travelling as a group in public places
The streets in Italy are generally very narrow and the cars can travel at break neck speeds. The traffic rules and signs are different then in Toronto so it is essential that you look in all directions and listen for instructions from your teachers and tour guides before crossing streets or piazzas. It is always best to walk in pairs rather then large groups. This will allow other citizens to manoeuvre easily around us.

Shopping in pairs is also strongly recommended as many of the stores in Italy are small boutique style and are not designed to accommodate huge groups of people at once. Take turns visiting the shops in pairs. This will also enable you to have a better look around the shops.


Etiquette in restaurants and public places
All of the museums, galleries, theatres, cathedrals, and restaurants we will be visiting are open to the public. Our group will be among many others who have come to enjoy these places of interest. This means that it is essential for you to be aware that others deserve an equally wonderful experience and not to crowd around statues, paintings, etc. which would make it difficult for others to see.
What does this look like?
Ø Be respectful of others around you. They have also paid money and perhaps traveled great distances to see the sights of Italy too.
Ø Do not crowd around entrances, statues, displays etc. as this will obstruct the view of others.
What does this sound like?
Ø Use quiet, indoor voices when we are touring public galleries, theatres, museums, etc.
Ø Be silent or whisper very quietly when we are visiting churches and cathedrals as a sign of respect for the sanctity of these places of worship.
Ø When we are dining in public restaurants be respectful of the other patrons by speaking quietly to those guys sitting at your table. Do not yell out to guys sitting at other tables.
Ø Stay seated when we are dinning at restaurants. We do not want to get in the way of the wait staff serving us the delicious food!

Using electronics when traveling
Listening to your Ipod, watching a movie on a portable dvd player, or playing a game on your portable PS2 while wearing headphones, are all excellent ways to pass the time when we are travelling on our long flight to and from Italy (9 hours).

These devices will also come in handy on our bus journeys from Rome to Pompeii (4 hours), Rome to Florence (4 hours), Florence to Venice (4.5 hours) and Rome to Verona (9 hours).

You may also wish to use these devices in the evenings when you are in your room at the hotels.

Please note that NO electronics are permitted to leave the hotel or bus on a daily basis when we are out touring the cities and performing. If these are found on your person, they will be confiscated by one of your teachers who will return it to you at the end of the trip.

Please also note that your teachers and the tour guides coordinating our visit are NOT RESPONSIBLE for any of your belongings. If something gets lost or left behind this is entirely your responsibility. It is best not to bring anything to Italy that is irreplaceable (i.e. expensive jewellery, watches, or electronics.)

When in doubt… ask!
If you are ever not sure of what the expectations are for any of the places we visit, all you need to do is ask. Your teachers and tour guides will be constantly providing you with details about the various venues we will be touring.