Q: Why should we travel with Academic Expeditions®?
A: Academic Expeditions® was created by experienced educators and leaders in the student travel industry who consistently maintain the core philosophy that all-inclusive custom educational travel is simply one of the best tools available to help students better understand their own vital role and responsibilities within this world. We believe that there is no better way to understand our past, present, and future than through educational travel and the experiences and memories that it brings. We take our role and the trust given to us for you and your family’s safety, enjoyment, and education with sincerity and are proud that we can offer such high quality custom educational tour programming that is committed to quality, integrity, and value.
Q: Tell me about your company?
A: Academic Expeditions® has been a leader in educational touring for over 10 years. We are incorporated in New York State as an S corporation filed as Academic Expeditions, Inc.® Academic Expeditions® is a privately owned company and is fully licensed and insured to the maximum extent of the law governing tour operators.
Q: Are you affiliated with any professional travel organizations?
A: Academic Expeditions® is proud to be a member in good standing of the National Tour Association (NTA) the Student Youth Tour Association (SYTA), the American Bus Association (ABA), Washington D.C. Guild of Tour Guides, and the International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN). We also hold a California Department of Justice Seller of Travel certification number. These organizations demand the highest professional standards in the travel industry and require its members to maintain a consistently high standard of integrity and service.
Q: What type of tours do you offer?
A: We offer an extensive option of customized educational tours. Our tours range in duration from 1 to 30 days for all types of school groups and organizations wishing to travel safely and with an interest in truly appreciating the sites they plan on visiting. Many of our trips are created for student and school groups with curriculum based state educational standards kept in mind. We also recognize that students come in many different types and we offer family and adult tours as well. The common theme within all of our tours is the sincerity in our approach to safety, learning, and the quality of our amenities. We are a custom tour operator, so we build an entire unique itinerary around your needs and wishes rather than simply offering you predetermined itineraries and vendors. Our account representatives will work with you through the entire process to help you reach your tour goals.
Q: What level of service and quality can I expect from your tours?
A: The best available, always. Only newer model motor coaches from insured and experienced operators are considered. All come with restrooms, air-conditioning, video, and reclining seats. Our meals are all premium quality and generally include a variety of Historic Inns, Taverns, and finer dining experiences. Accommodations are all of the highest quality and all are well known names such as Marriott, Sheraton, and Doubletree and located close to where you want to be. Our tour leaders and guides are all licensed and experienced educators and are the best available. They are with each group for the entire tour and truly make your travel experience exciting and memorable.
Q: Are your trips more expensive because of everything you offer?
A: Actually not. Since we are a privately owned company that doesn’t need to answer to stock holders' bottom lines, we can offer better quality tours at a more reasonable price and value than many of our competitors. We never have, nor ever will skimp on the quality of the goods or services we offer and will strive to keep our prices competitive and affordable. All of our expeditions are all-inclusive, so there are never any added extra costs.
Q: How can we bring the cost of the trip down?
A: One important way that clients can save on their trip cost is by booking as early as possible. This allows us to purchase airline tickets and hotels farther in advance and generally results in lower prices that we can pass on to you. Another important way to decrease trip price is to increase the number of travel participants. The more travelers you bring then the better able we are to lower the price even more.
Q: Is the comprehensive travel protection insurance really that important and may I view it?
A: Our belief is that comprehensive travel protection is so essential that we automatically include it with each expedition that we operate. This policy includes medical and accident coverage, pre-trip cancellation, trip interruption, evacuation, and baggage loss and delay. It truly is a comprehensive package offered by Trip Mate Insurance, a leader in the tour insurance industry. We provide an insurance pamphlet to every participant. The same policy is available for viewing through a link on our website.
Q: What about Liability Insurance?
A: Academic Expeditions® carries a $5,000,000 Professional and General Liability Insurance Policy through the Steadfast Insurance Group, a standard in tour and travel insurance coverage. This policy offers our clients an additional layer of protection and confidence in the travel products that we offer.
Q: How serious are you about the educational aspects of your expeditions?
A: That is why we do this. Travel and education are blended into a model that truly opens our client’s eyes to new ideas. Wherever we go, we use local educators, guides, naturalists and park rangers who really know the region and can present information in a fresh and unique way. These local experts are used in conjunction with our own full time Academic Expeditions tour leaders. All of our customized educational content meets school based curriculum guidelines and is designed to meet teacher needs and student learning objectives. Our curriculum is aligned with national and/or state standards and address higher order thinking and makes real life connections for students.
Q: Do you use “step-on” or part-time guides as well as full-time guides?
A: Our own Academic Expeditions® leaders are always present during every moment of the tour for your added safety, education and sense of well-being. They definitely add a sense of security and continuity to your expedition and you will learn to trust these individuals to insure that your tour runs smoothly and enjoyably.
Q: How is a custom expedition different than other tours?
A: Rather than offer the same expeditions to everyone, we recognize that different groups have different needs and desires. We work with you to create your own custom trip that feels right and works well for your group. Suggestions and options are always made, but the final choices of how a trip is arranged are up to our clients. Many tour operators simply offer dates for pre-arranged departures and trips with little or no say in how a trip is organized. Academic Expeditions® creates each expedition from the ground up and customizes as much as the client wishes. We feel this is the way that fulfilling travel should be.
Q: How do you provide security and safety on your trips?
A: Safety is our highest priority. We will not run a trip if we feel the safety of our clients and guides is compromised. All of our expedition leaders carry mobile phones and are in contact with our office several times daily. All clients are also provided with a 24 hour toll free number that can be used for any emergency. Student groups are required to wear a name badge with this number printed on it. This phone line is always staffed by someone who can respond to any situation and is familiar with your group. We also use top quality hotels and equipment staffed only by trusted personnel that we have worked with in the past. Our accommodations are always in better and safer areas and we employ trusted private security on our floors throughout the night time hours.
Q. What if I need to cancel my trip or substitute someone in my place?
A. All details regarding cancellation or substitution are clearly outlined in your registration form. We understand that circumstances can change. We always attempt to work with our clients individually and find the best solutions for each situation. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any further questions.
Q: How do I pay for my trip?
A: Payment is arranged by our company and is detailed on the registration form that you fill out. Some organizations and schools choose to collect the funds directly from participants and forward the payments to our office while others elect to have clients billed directly by Academic Expeditions® payment invoice system. We offer a variety of payment plan options that you are welcome to choose from that fit your own particular comfort level.
Q: What does the price include?
A: The tour price is truly all inclusive. All meals, transportation, accommodations, guides, entrance fees, gratuities, security, taxes, transfers, airfares, and insurance are included. We like to say that the only thing you need to pay for are your souvenirs.
Q: How do I register?
A: Talk to your tour organizer. He or she will have registration forms available and all of the other important information you will need to start planning your participation.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Please view our website at academicexpeditions.com, call (800) 350-3767, or email us at info@academicexpeditions.com. We are always happy to help with any needs and consider this a vital link to our continued success. Personal references from past participants are also always cheerfully provided. We truly appreciate your interest in traveling with us and look forward to helping you create a wonderful trip that is perfect for you and your group and that enables you to “Learn the World”. Thank you!