CLAY HIGH SCHOOL ENGLAND & SCOTLAND 2025 

March 15, 2025: Overnight flight to London– Join your group at your Florida airport for your overnight flight to London.

March 16: Welcome to London – Meet your Exploring Europe guide after clearing immigration, baggage claim, and security. Today, enjoy an orientation of London! We'll begin with a visit to the Burrough Market, London's premier daily outdoor food market hall, where you can choose and purchase your lunch menu. Then, walk along Bankside, passing Shakespeare's Globe and the National Theatre. Enjoy a spin on the London Eye for a bird's eye view of Westminster, the Thames, and London City. Later, let's head to our hotel for check-in and time to settle in. Tonight, we'll walk to dinner at a neighborhood pub.  Sleep for 3 nights in London. Dinner.

March 17: London Sightseeing – A local Blue Badged guide will join you for a full day of sightseeing. Today, transportation will be on foot and via the London Underground. Visits this morning include Westminster Abbey and viewing the Guard Change at Buckingham Palace. We will stop near Leister Square, where you can enjoy some free time for lunch, a visit to Trafalgar Square, and shopping at Piccadilly Circle. Later, visit the Tower of London, home of the British Crown Jewels, with your local guide. Then, let's head to Covent Garden for an early dinner, followed by a West End Theatre performance.  Dinner.

March 18: Stonehenge & Bath – Today, enjoy a trip to the countryside and the rolling hills of Salisbury. Visit Stonehenge, where 2700 years ago, ancient people erected huge stones for religious celebrations. Then, we'll visit the Georgian city of Bath and explore the bathing facilities built by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. Returning to London, enjoy a free evening and dinner on your own.

March 19: Edinburgh – Today, enjoy a train trip through England as we travel to Edinburgh. This afternoon, we will walk along the Royal Mile and the Georgian "new" town. Then let's have dinner together at a neighborhood restaurant. We'll cap off the evening with a historical "ghost" tour, visiting the caves and dungeons below the old town.  Train: 5 hours. Sleep for 3 nights in Edinburgh. Dinner.

March 20: The Highlands – Enjoy a full-day adventure in the Highlands. You'll visit the Caledonian Canal and the rugged Glen Coe, with sweeping vistas of Scotland's highest peak, Ben Nevis. Approaching Lock Ness, keep your eyes peeled for its famous monster, Nessie. Then, we'll board our ship to cruise along the loch and visit the ruined Urquhart Castle. Back in Edinburgh, enjoy dinner together in our hotel neighborhood.  Dinner. 

March 21: Edinburgh – Let's head to Edinburgh's harbor and step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. A Royal residence for over 40 years, The Royal Yacht Britannia sailed the seas with the Royal Family on state visits and entertained prime ministers and presidents worldwide. You'll have the afternoon to do more exploring around Edinburgh. Tonight, we'll cap off your tour with a grand farewell dinner. 

March 22: Your tour ends today.  After breakfast, we'll head to Edinburgh Airport for your flight home.

 Itinerary specifics are subject to change.

Roundtrip airfare from Florida to the UK and return.

A custom tour experience designed specifically for your group at Clay High School.

6 nights' hotel accommodation.

Breakfasts daily.

5 group dinners.

Private coach transportation for long haul drives.

Train travel from London to Edinburgh.

Public Underground and bus transportation in London and Edinburgh.

London West End Theatre production admission.

Entrances as noted in the itinerary to Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Roman Baths, Loch Ness Cruise, Urquhart Castle, Edinburgh Underground, Royal Yacht Britannia, and more.

Local guides and guided tours as mentioned in the itinerary.

Taxes and service charges for all included items.

Tip and gratuities to local drivers and guides.

Exploring Europe will purchase comprehensive travel and trip cancellation insurance for every tour participant. The cost varies and is based on age. The projected cost is about $130 per student up to age 25 years.  Older participants, tag-a-longs, friends, and family members can pay from $130-$300, depending on age. 

A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations.

PDF Destination Guides and handbook detailing each day’s historical and cultural experiences.

Free Exploring Europe luggage tags and drawstring backpacks.

Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee that, once locked in, will never change.

Anything not listed above in the "inclusions" area is not included in the cost of your tour.

February 7, 2024

Application and Tour Agreement

Clay High School England & Scotland March 15-22, 2025

Our Tour Conditions and Agreement defines what David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc. will provide when you sign up for a tour.

$3239 is the maximum price for your ground tour.  It may be less depending on the number of tour participants.  The price is per person sharing a twin/double/triple room. 

This tour package includes Round Trip airfare. The estimated price is $1400-$1800. The actual cost is set by the airline about 11 months before your travel date. At that time, we will reserve and guarantee the airfare rates. The actual price may be higher or lower than estimated, and we will adjust your total price accordingly.

COST SUMMARY - Maximum price:  $3239 + $1800= $5039

Participants may receive a full refund (less the cost of Comprehensive Travel Insurance and credit card fees) from Exploring Europe until October 5, 2024.  Strictly no refunds after October 5, 2024.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THIS TOUR: 

Roundtrip airfare from Florida to the UK and return.

A custom tour experience designed specifically for your group at Clay High School.

6 nights' hotel accommodation.

Breakfasts daily.

5 group dinners.

Private coach transportation for long haul drives.

Train travel from London to Edinburgh.

Public Underground and bus transportation in London and Edinburgh.

London West End Theatre production admission.

Entrances as noted in the itinerary to Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Roman Baths, Loch Ness Cruise, Urquhart Castle, Edinburgh Underground, Royal Yacht Britannia, and more.

Local guides and guided tours as mentioned in the itinerary.

Taxes and service charges for all included items.

Tip and gratuities to local drivers and guides.

Exploring Europe will purchase comprehensive travel and trip cancellation insurance for every tour participant. The cost varies and is based on age. The projected cost is about $130 per student up to age 25 years.  Older participants, tag-a-longs, friends, and family members can pay from $130-$300, depending on age. 

A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations.

PDF Destination Guides and handbook detailing each day’s historical and cultural experiences.

Free Exploring Europe luggage tags and drawstring backpacks.

Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee that, once locked in, will never change.

Anything not listed above is not included in the cost of your tour.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND PROCESSES

Please make the first payment ($400) to David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe. We accept all major credit cards. Additionally, we accept personal checks (US banks only), bank drafts, and money orders made payable to David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe (in US dollars).

Credit card payments come with a processing fee of 3%. This fee will be added to your invoice should you choose to pay by credit card.  There are no added fees if you make payments by check or money order.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Amount: Check/Credit        Due Date:

$400                                     at enrollment

$570 / $587.10                     April 5, 2024

$570 / $587.10                     May 5, 2024

$570 / $587.10                     June 5, 2024

$570 / $587.10                     September 5, 202

$570 / $587.10                     October 5, 2024 (no refunds at all after this date)

$570 / $587.10                     November 5, 2024

$570 / $587.10                     December 5, 2024

balance ~ $649 / $669          January 5, 2025

Payments may be submitted online, with a credit card to:

https://davidmcguffin.com/tours/special/chs2025/  “make a payment” tab.

or mailed to:

Exploring Europe - 4036 Hidden Acre Rd - Middleburg, FL 32068

Deposits and payments, less credit card fees and insurance costs, are fully refundable until October 5, 2024.  If you book a tour less than 120 days before its departure date, full payment is due immediately, and the entire tour cost becomes non-refundable after seven days. After these dates, funds are not refundable and will be forfeited if you cancel your tour reservation. 

COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE

Comprehensive travel and trip cancellation insurance will be purchased for every tour participant. The cost varies and is based on age. The projected cost is about $130 per student up to age 25 years.  Older participants, tag-a-longs, friends, and family members will pay from $130 -$300,  depending on age. This insurance will be purchased immediately upon paying your tour deposit.  Tour members will own the insurance policy.  It is not refundable.

TOUR OBLIGATIONS, REQUIRED FORMS, AND RISKS

All tour members must sign and return a Release Waiver Agreement and a Tour Member Agreement before the tour commences. Any pre-existing physical, mental, or emotional disability that may require attention or treatment must be reported before the beginning of the tour. Omitting important information or altering the Release Waiver Agreement, will render it and your Tour Cancellation/Interruption Coverage invalid and could result in expulsion from a tour at your own expense.

David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc. has no protection coverage beyond the basic package included in the tour price to protect itself, the actions of its employees, or tour participants themselves, and tour members intentionally assume the many risks inherent in European travel.

Although unlikely, your tour may be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. If a tour for which you have paid is canceled by Exploring Europe, the entire amount you have paid (minus the insurance premium and credit card fees) will be refunded within fourteen days after the tour’s announced cancellation. Or, you may choose to transfer to another tour date if offered. Once this occurs, Exploring Europe and its representatives, have no other obligations to tour members on canceled trips, including any additional costs or fees related to the issuance and/or cancellation of airline tickets or other travel reservations not made by Exploring Europe.

PARTICIPANT RELEASE and AGREEMENT

I, THE UNDERSIGNED (OR MY PARENT OR GUARDIAN IF I AM A MINOR), AN APPLICANT FOR A EUROPEAN TOUR PROVIDED BY DAVID MCGUFFIN’S EXPLORING EUROPE, INC. (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS EXPLORING EUROPE), AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. My Exploring Europe tour begins as mentioned in the tour itinerary and documentation (see tour dates in column one). My tour ends after breakfast on the last scheduled tour day.

2. I agree to release Exploring Europe (which term shall include agents, officers, directors, staff members, tour directors, and employees of Exploring Europe, as well as Exploring Europe itself) and (if applicable) my school, teacher, and group leader from, and agree not to sue such persons for, any claims that I may have arising from, or in connection with, any physical or property damage or other loss that I may suffer from any cause whatsoever other than the gross negligence of such persons. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, I release such persons from and agree not to sue such persons for, any damages that I may suffer from any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay, or expense resulting from events beyond their control, including, without limitation, acts of God, weather, war, pandemics, strikes, incidents of politically motivated violence, terrorist attacks, sickness or quarantine, government restrictions or regulations, and, in the absence of gross negligence, arising from any vehicle, or from any act or omission by bus or car rental agency, steamship, airline, railroad, taxi or tour service, hotel, restaurant, school, university, or any other firm, agency, company, or individual.

3. If any flights are included with my tour, I understand that the air carriers’ liability for loss or damage to baggage or property, or for death or injury to person, is limited by their tariffs and/or the Warsaw Convention and related agreements. Further, I understand that the air carriers assume no responsibility to any traveler aside from their liability as common carriers.

4. Exploring Europe, its employees, officers, directors, agents, and assigns (collectively known as Exploring Europe) does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your tour. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, ferry, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel or other lodging accommodations, restaurants, ground handling, and other services from various independent contractors. As a result, Exploring Europe is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third party. In addition and without limitation, Exploring Europe is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, pandemics, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes, or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, computer system failures, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time.

5. I will assume full responsibility for my safety and actions while away from the group, such as visits to friends or relatives, or during stay-ahead/stay-behind optional periods if the optional period does not include the services of an Exploring Europe Tour Director.

6. If I become ill or incapacitated, Exploring Europe and its employees, or my Group Leader, may take any action they deem necessary for my safety and well-being, including securing medical treatment (at my own expense) and transporting me home.

7. I agree to abide by Exploring Europe’s regulations and the directions of my Group Leader or Exploring Europe’s personnel during my tour. Failure to do so may result in Exploring Europe terminating me from the tour immediately. I understand that to disobey such rules or directions is to waive the right to a refund of any part of my tour fee and that Exploring Europe may then send me home at my own expense.

8. I agree to abide by all local laws when abroad, including those concerning drugs and alcohol (and if I am a minor when such laws are not in conflict with parental/guardian permission). I understand that to abuse or disobey such laws is to waive the right to a refund of any part of my tour fee and that Exploring Europe may then send me home at my own expense. I also understand that should local authorities be involved, I will be subject to the laws of the country I am visiting.

9. I understand Exploring Europe is in no way responsible for or connected to air carriage to and from Europe or within Europe. If Exploring Europe arranges air carriage it is only as a courtesy and not an element of my Exploring Europe tour.

10. Should there be flights within Europe associated with my Exploring Europe tour, I assume full responsibility for all excess baggage fees should they be imposed on me and my luggage. Exploring Europe accepts no responsibility for oversized or overweight luggage.

11. I understand that I will be required to pay for any phone calls or incidental personal expenses that I incur at hotels, as well as for any damage I cause to hotel rooms, buses, ferries, trains, or cruise ships. I will indemnify Exploring Europe and hold it harmless for any financial liability or obligation which I personally incur, or injury or damage to the person or property of others which I cause or contribute to while participating on an Exploring Europe tour.

12.  Exploring Europe reserves the right to refuse or cancel any enrollment at its sole discretion.

13.  Exploring Europe has the right to make changes in tour itineraries and departure dates and to modify transportation arrangements, including the use of substitute airlines, if flights are included. In the event of changes, refunds will be given only in accordance with the provisions of the Exploring Europe “Terms and Conditions” supplied herewith.

14. If this is a student-oriented tour, I acknowledge my choice to travel with the leader organizing my group, and I understand that this choice is not the responsibility of Exploring Europe. I understand that Exploring Europe reserves the right to reassign my group to a replacement group leader should my original group leader be unable to, or determine not to, participate in the tour and that the standard cancellation policy will apply if I choose not to travel with the new Group Leader.

15. I understand that future Exploring Europe advertising and publicity material may include statements made by participants or their video clips or photographs, and I consent to such use of my comments or photographic likenesses.

16. This agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Florida. Any claim or dispute arising hereunder shall be filed in a court with competent jurisdiction in Clay County, Florida. If a claim or dispute arising under this agreement is made against Exploring Europe, then Exploring Europe shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees (including, but not limited to, pre-suit, post-suit, collection, and appellate fees) plus all cost from the undersigned.

17. In the event this agreement is signed by a parent/guardian of a minor, it shall bind the parent/guardian and minor to the terms of the agreement.

18. This agreement shall inure to the successors and heirs to the parties to this agreement. This agreement shall not be assigned without the written consent of Exploring Europe.

19. This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Exploring Europe and me with reference to the subject matter referred to herein, and I understand that no warranty or representation not herein, including but not limited to any oral statements made to me by agents of Exploring Europe or if applicable, by my school or Group Leader, applies to any Exploring Europe tour. This agreement may be amended or modified only in writing, signed by an Exploring Europe officer at Exploring Europe’s main office in Middleburg, Florida.

20. I hereby agree to be bound by the Tour Terms and Conditions and Participant Release and Agreement attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. 

David McGuffin's Exploring Europe, Inc. is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. ST-35037.

See Contractual Items