It may be easy to select a destination, but how do you know when you’ve picked the perfect travel provider? You want a company who makes it effortless to bring a group of students abroad, so read up on the five most important things to look for when booking educational travel.
1 . Custom tour options
No two students or educators are alike, and that’s why your travel itineraries shouldn’t be, either. While we love standard itineraries that hit all the major destinations, having the option to customize a tour allows educators to tailor the trip to their lesson plans and educational goals.
Explorica lets you add additional activities, hotel upgrades, extensions, and more with just the click of a button — or build an entire tour from scratch!
2. Safety and security
What’s more important when traveling than the safety and security of your group? When searching for the perfect travel provider, make sure you’ll have 24/7 access to a support network via phone, email, or text. If any problems arise, you’ll feel comfortable knowing someone is available to help out. We also recommend checking for liability insurance and any travel protection plans because life happens, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Check out our Travel Protection Plans with TripMate, including our Cancel For Any Reason policy that allows travelers to cancel their tour and receive a cash refund for any reason up to 30 days before departure. It’s the only “cancel for any reason” policy in the industry!
3. Experienced tour directors
Your tour director is your travel liaison, managing your group’s logistics and making sure every detail is taken care of while on your trip. Tour directors should be local experts who are fluent in your destination’s language and eager to provide insider tips so that you can relax and enjoy the tour with your students.
“I don’t know where Explorica finds their guides but they are phenomenal. I’ve taken ten teenagers to Costa Rica, and 12 to Puerto Rico and both guides were fantastic. They not only give you all of the tourist info, they also share personal stories that make the trips really memorable. The love and pride they feel for their countries is easy to see.” – Raul, program leader, 2019
4. Affordability
It’s tough to get families on board when a trip costs more than a house payment! Pick a tour provider who offers an immersive trip at an affordable price, making travel possible for any student or family on a budget. Bonus points if your provider helps offset the cost of the trip with monthly payment plans, scholarship opportunities, financial aid, and fundraising advice.
With the Guaranteed Best Prices in educational travel, Explorica doesn’t make you pay for things you don’t need…and if you happen to find a lower price for the same tour components, we’ll beat it.
5. Academic credit and professional development
Make your trip even more worthwhile by picking an accredited travel provider. Students will grow outside of the classroom by reflecting on their travel experiences through online coursework, and teachers will earn professional development credit just for traveling.
Explorica offers free high school credit for students in grades 6-12 and partners with the University of California, San Diego – Extension to issue college prep credit for students in grades 9-12. Educators can earn up to 35 points/hours of professional development, depending on the length of the tour.
When you’re ready to plan your next educational experience, look no further. Explorica offers everything we’ve mentioned and more, from domestic adventures across the country to immersive language study and life-changing service experiences.
Contact us today to learn more about our advantages and tour options, and click here to browse itineraries.