Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

In the summer of 2007, I drove with my sweetheart from Toronto to Chicago. From downtown Chicago we began our trip along the length of the famous then Route 66 to Los Angeles. Route 66 officially ends at Santa Monica Pier on the Pacific Ocean. We had a really nice evening on the pier, strolling the wooden walkway, taking in the sights and sounds of the ocean at sunset and the bustling activity of the pier's attractions. For any trip to LA, I would recommend spending some time here.

Susan Smith from Pacific Park, the amusement park on the pier sent me some info on their attractions:

Description: More than just another day at the beach, join us at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier and add some fun to your sun! The West Coast's premier family amusement park located on the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park gives you 12 exciting rides, including the ALL NEW Pacific Wheel – the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, plus 21 fun-filled midway games, a food court with a view and nonstop fun – all at LA’s only over-the-ocean family amusement park.

Location: Santa Monica, California
www.PacPark.com
tel: (310) 260-8744

With educational trips and student tours it's important to balance the education with some thigns that are just plain fun. Play is a kind of learning, and is key for social skills development. It's also a nice break from museums and tours of historic sites. 

Chez Cora's Breakfast and Lunch

Food is incredibly important on a student tour or school trip. It's never the first consideration when planning a trip, but I've found that that if the group has bad expereinces around their meals, the whole perception of trip quality suffers. As human beings, we have an incredibly refined sense of taste. That, combined with our powerful cultural trappings concerning food (taboos, preparation and eating rituals, food symbolism) have turned food into something much more than just fuel for our bodies. What we eat should be enjoyable, and delight not only the tastebuds, but also the eyes. 

Which brings me to talk about one of my absolute favourite places to eat breakfast or brunch...

I was first introduced to Chez Cora's in Montreal, and nearly (NEARLY!) squealed with delight when I saw one open in my home city of Toronto. Now there are more than 100 locations in Canada. The food is amazing both in freshness, flavour and presentation. I've eaten there alone, with friends, and while on tour with students. Every meal has been a sheer delight.  

Dave Bagley from Cora's in downtown Toronto says they "offer a set group menu with 5-6 options" and invites tour operators to email him (corabreakfastlunch at bellnet dot ca) for more information. With groups, limiting the choice to a few selections for students means they can have everyone in and out quickly with full tummies and smiles on their faces.

Location: Across the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada

www.chezcora.com

 tel: (416) 598-2672

Howard Johnson Hotel Toronto-Markham

Hotels are funny things. Sleeping in rented rooms is funny to me. Like many people I do it all the time, but when you really stop to think about it - how we turn an unfamiliar room into a sanctuary of privacy so quickly and rest so peacefully - it strikes me as strange. But I digress...

When it comes to educational travel, price is often the biggest point of contention, and I can recall times when a matter of a $10 difference between my price and a competitor made all the difference. Hotels are one of the biggest costs on a trip and where tour companies create value. Since students are usually housed 4 to a room, and the hotels give tour companies prices nearly impossible to get on your own (unless you start booking rooms 15 at a time), the tour companies are able to build profit into the cost of the trip without the client really noticing. It's a win-win for everyone, which I love. Groups get value, hotels fill rooms, and tour companies make some money.

A lot of groups want to stay downtown, but the prices in a city centre are higher than outside the city. When you have a bus, a 20 min drive into town isn't that big of a deal.

Swimming pools, saunas, spas and other hotel features really don't matter to school groups. Clean, comfortable rooms, friendly staff that will treat students like any other paying guest, and a great price are what tour companies seek from hotels. Having a continental breakfast included with the room rate is also a deal-maker or breaker since it can save students the cost of eating breakfast at a restaurant and the time it takes getting 50 students seated and served. Are you listening hotel managers?

I've enjoyed many nights at Howard Johnson hotels. Paul Moran from the Howard Johnson Hotel Toronto-Markham (northeast part of the Greater Toronto Area) was kind enough to send me the following info on his hotel:

Description: Enjoy great value in Northeast Toronto, 20 minutes to Canada's Wonderland and 25 minutes to Downtown Toronto. 172 well appointed guest rooms, banquet and catering facilities for up to 100, large indoor pool, all-day restaurant & lounge, free Internet access, Business Centre, coin laundry. 10 minutes to 3 major shopping malls, several group-friendly restaurants close by

Location: Markham, Ontario (north GTA)
www.hojomarkham.com
tel: (905) 479-5000

For another Howard Johnson type of experience all together, check this out.

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Travel Gate Sweden

Sweden is a country I have not yet been to. I've always thought the Scandanavian countries were someplace I would get to someday. I've heard nothing but good things about that part of the world, and now that I've made friends there, I'm even more keen to visit. Britt-Marie Andrén from Travel Gate Sweden, an inbound travel and tour operator, sent me the following info on their services and specialization with student and school groups:

Description: We work with booking school trips to various destinations in Sweden (e.g Gothenburg), where we have ready made package deals for classes. These packages include accommodation, activities, meals and free transport within the city. Students of all ages are welcome and the prices are based per person.

We also offer technical visits to different institutions and companies in South Sweden, Stockholm and Gothenburg (Göteborg).

Location: Lerberget, Sweden

ww.travelgatesweden.se/school-tours

tel: +46 42 707586539

Japan Airlines - Group Rates

I love Japan. I love Japanese things. Japan Airlines is Japanese, and therefore I love it by default, despite having only flown once with them in 2001 when I made my way from Tokyo to Misawa. I think much of the world (and certainly most of North America) could learn a lot from the Japanese when it comes to customer service and courtesy. It's first rate.

Debra Hindley from JAL's Chicago office sent me the following on the airline and hinted at their group rates and fares for student travel:

Description: Special fares and incentives for students. Excellent service between the USA and Japan or Asia. Meet on departure ex the USA and meet on arrival when group returns to the USA. Choice of Japanese or Western Cuisine.

Location: Woldwide. 

www.jal.com

tel 773-601-7520 (Chicago IL office)

Wild at Heart - Youth Adventures

Volunteer travel is big news and big business. Most of the companies that offer volunteer experiences (like my own company Voluntraveler) deal with community projects and people. Wild at Heart gives you the rare opportunity to work with African animals! It's locally owned and caters to student groups. Billy Fourie of Wild at Heart sent me the following info:

Description: We offer a "voluntour" where students will travel around Southern Africa, visiting South Africa, Botswana & Zambia. Working with Cheetah, Africn Wild Dog, elephant and community upliftment programs in the Okavango & Victoria Falls areas. With lots of adventure and 'giving back' to the areas you visit.

Location: Durban, South Africa

www.wah.co.za

tel: + 27 566 5264

Wayne Gretzsky's Restaurant

Canada is a hockey nation and legendary hockey player Wayne Gretzky is one of Canada's favourite people. His restaurant located in downtown Toronto is fantastic. 

It's a lively environment filled with Wayne hockey paraphanelia. And I've heard his dad Walter drops by every now and then too! 

Heather from the restaurant sent me this info about what they can do for groups. I've eaten there several times and I think it's a great place for students to eat!

Description: Wayne Gretzky's Restaurant in downtown Toronto, steps from the Roger's Centre. We accept bookings from 2-200, with menus that cater specifically to children, youths, and large groups. Enjoy lunch or dinner 7 days a week in our restaurant filled with "the Great One's" personal memorabilia. Great food, great service, one great restaurant!

Location: Toronto, ON

www.gretzky.com/restaurant

416.348.0099