Educating for eternity

Parent Zoom meeting minutes... (March 8)

2. Food money for 13 meals will be distributed before departure. Total of $195 US dollars. Parents must pick up at school starting tomorrow, so you can make it available in digital format for your child. This money is for the following meals:

Friday 13 Lunch

Sunday to Thursday: 2 meals daily. Breakfast at the hotel is already included.

And next week, Friday 20, Lunch.

And Sunday, March 22 Lunch.

3. Chaperon groups sign up. The Excel file was sent last Saturday night. Chaperones will be the first point of contact. According to their groups. Check time differences. Preferred time of contact is mornings in the US.

4. Communication cellphone numbers available in the chaperons' list.

5. Excel "detailed itinerary" has also flight details, in a Google Sheet form, sent previously as a detailed itinerary. But it will also be available on the hvamusic.org/tour2026

Music Tour 2026

France - Spain

Updates ---

Time to check-in Online

Check your email for the reservation number.
Enter your last name as in your passport. (If you use two last name in your passport enter both - no spaces)
Enter all the information required.
You may download the TAP Portugal app for

March 4 - Email.

Hello everyone, We will have some informative meetings as follows:

Thursday, March 5, - 12:45 to 1:15 pm. Touring Students only in the music room.

Agenda items:

Go over the packing list and documents.
General tour information (itinerary, safety tips, communication)
Money use.
General questions.

Thursday, March 5 - 5:00 pm - Zoom - Chaperons only.

Detailed itinerary.
Student group assignments.
Documentation care.
Communication.

Sunday, March 8, 7:00 pm - Zoom - All parents and students.

General tour itinerary - (You may go over the detailed tour itinerary at www.hvamusic.org/tour2026
Documentation -
Extra costs (Optional: souvenirs, CampNu visit, Sagrada Familia church, meds, snacks).
Medicines (4 core "over the counter" for: cold, sore throat, stomach, headache)
General questions.

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March 3, 2026

Currency Exchange:

When exchanging US dollars to euros, your best strategy depends on whether you prefer convenience or the lowest possible cost.

1. Best Overall Value: International ATMs

The most cost-effective way to get euros is typically to withdraw them from a bank-affiliated ATM once you arrive in Europe.

Why: You receive the "interbank" exchange rate, which is the closest to the real market value.
Pro Tip: Always choose to be charged in the local currency (EUR) if the ATM asks. If you choose USD, the ATM provider applies its own marked-up "Dynamic Currency Conversion" rate, which can cost you an extra 5–10%.
Best Cards: Accounts like Charles Schwab or Wise are popular because they offer fee-free international withdrawals or reimburse ATM fees.

What to Avoid

Airport Kiosks: These often have the worst exchange rates and highest hidden fees. Use them only for small amounts in emergencies.
Hotel Exchanges: Similar to airports, hotels provide convenience but at a high cost to you.
Street "No Commission" Booths: These often hide their profit in very poor exchange rates.
Food money: The budget for food money is $30 US, per day. Breakfasts are not included in this amount as hotels will provide breakfast. The following is the schedule for food money use:
- Friday, March 13 - Dinner will be provided
- Saturday, March 14 - Lunch and Dinner will be provided
- Sunday to Thursday - $30 U.S dollar will be provided in advance for meals. ($150 U.S.). Please contact the HVA office to arrange how you would received this money before the trip. Recommendation: Claim the $150 earlier before the trip so you can have it in digital format such as debit card.
- These funds are to be carefully administrated so you don't run out of funds before Friday, March 20.
- Friday, March 20 - Meals will be provided.
- Saturday, March 21 - Meals will be provided.

Detailed Tour itinerary - excel file updatable

a van covered in graffiti parked on the side of the road

Zoom meetings link

03/05/26 - Chaperons meeting

03/08/26 - All parents and students meeting.

a blue square button with the word zoom on it

Music Tour 2026 sweaters will be distributed on Wednesday, March 11.

Checked Baggage

Carry on Baggage

a cat sitting on top of a piece of luggage

three pieces of luggage sitting on top of a set of stairs

Baggage information

Packing list...

Essentials..

Your valid Passport. - You will be asked to present your passport before loading the bus to the airport.
Performance Uniform - formal (including church black shoes)
Performance Uniform 2 - Black school polo and khaki pants
Personal hygiene items.
Medicaments. (required, or for allergies, sore throat, charcoal)
Comfortable shoes for long walks.
Raincoat/umbrella
European traveler adapter (phone charger)

Additional ...

For money transfer and easy payments in Europe. You may use the debit card "Wise"
- This is an European debit card so you don't have to carry cash with you and you can add additional funds through your linked bank account. This card is accepted in France, Spain and Portugal, USA and many other countries in the world. Opening a WISE account is easy and you can use either a digital card in your phone or a physical card, if you order now, you will have it ready for the trip.
For unlimited internet access in Europe, for communication through Whatsap, you may purchase an eSim card, and activated once you are in Eurpo. eSim cards are not physical cards, those are applications you download in your Android or Apple phone and you can have unlimited internet access based on the plan you choose.
- Recommended eSim card: "Yesim"
Anti pick-pocket bag - It is highly recommended to carry small "front" bag pack for security reasons.

Itinerary

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

Departure from DC (evening flight)

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026

Arrival – Paris, France - Bus transfer to Hotel

SABBATH, MARCH 14

Breakfast at the Hotel

8:30 am - Bus transfer to Church.

Lunch and supper TBA

Visit to the Neuilly-sur-Seine SDA Church
Afternoon concert at the Neuilly-sur-Seine

SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2026

Breakfast

Meals: Lunch and dinner will be arranged during the tour in Paris

Starting point: Bus transfer to BatoBus (water taxi) station by Hotel de Ville. Walk to Notre Dame Cathedral, and from there hop on/of fin Batobus to different spots

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026

Check out the Hotel (Paris)
Departure to Toulouse, France
Hotel check-in Hotel in Tolouse (supper - TBA)

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026

Morning

Capitole - downtown walking tour
Carcassome [Cite Medieval]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

Check out hotel Toulouse.
Departure to Barcelona, Spain
Arrival in Barcelona
Check in Hotel (Barcelona)
Optional tours: choose from
- Sagrada familia church
- Camp Nu - visit store

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

Barcelona.
Performance at Urgell SDA school.
Walking tour to Placa de Catalunia, Ramblas, Mercado de la Boqueria, Gótico, Catedral de Barcelona, and Arco del Triumfo

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026

Breakfast at the hotel