Contact
Will I be able to call home at all once I get into the city?
Of course! Although it is extremely exciting to travel and leave school and home behind for a few days, we understand that it is important to call those people that take care of you at home. Most hotels will have pay-phones that you can use – be sure to bring a calling card or get familiar with how to make collect calls too.
Back to Top
The Hotel
How many people are in each room? Are we going to be completely cramped?
In most hotels, you will be sharing a room with 3 other students (4 to a room), in university residences, generally 2 of you are housed in each room, and pensions in Québec City vary from room to room (2-5). And fear not, you won’t be roomed with your teachers or scary people you don’t know – in most instances you will be able to pick who you room with for your trip.
Can I share a room with someone from the opposite gender?
Now, what do you think the answer to that question is? Although you will have the chance to room with a friend, that friend should be of the same gender as you. Boy’s rooms are usually on a different floor or in a different area than the girl’s rooms too. Nice try though.
Can we swim in the hotel pool?
It depends on a few things: First, not all hotels will have pools – however, if your hotel does have a pool, then it is to the discretion of the teachers and planning committee for the trip as to whether or not the students can swim. Information about the specifics of the hotel and what will be included in your itinerary will be sent to your school a few weeks prior to your departure.
Will we have to bring our own linens and towels?
All hotels, residences, and pensions use their own linens. You do not need to bring your own. However, some residences and pensions require that you bring your own towel – if you are staying at one of these locations, your teacher will notify you of this. However, if your school were planning on going swimming anytime during the trip, it would be advisable to bring your own towel.
Back to Top
Itinerary
Who decides what we do?
The teacher / principal who is planning the trip, work together with Tour Coordinators from our office. They factor in the needs of the school curriculum, students specific to the trip, and booking availability. The people planning the trip strive to create the most interesting, fun, and educational trip possible for you.
When will I receive the final itinerary?
The school will usually be sent a final itinerary a few weeks before departure.
Will we have any free time to shop and hang out with friends?
The trips are jam packed with amazing activities, attractions, and events, but there is usually some free time planned by the school. Sometimes this takes the form of a lunch where you can buy your own food, a visit a mall, or a block of time to explore the city in small interest groups. However, the times on the bus, in the hotel, and during meals are great times to relax and socialize with your friends. The amount and purpose of the free time will appear on your final itinerary.
Are free times supervised?
It is to the discretion of each school how your free time is supervised. In most cases the students spend their free time in small groups of 4 or more with a teacher exploring and shopping in the designated area. Older students are usually given the privilege to explore the area in small groups without a teacher present, but checking in at an agreed upon time and in an agreed upon place. In all cases, students are instructed of the boundaries and when and where to meet as to not be late for the next scheduled event.
Will we be walking all the time?
There is a fair amount of walking, but you won’t be doing it all the time. Most destinations on itineraries are relatively close together, so using the bus is not always economical, feasible, or environmentally friendly. There is usually a walking tour scheduled in your itinerary for a few hours and some sites can only be enjoyed with a good walk. Walking is a great way to experience the sights and sounds of a city, that being said, when the distance is too great to walk or weather is poor, the bus will save the day! Make sure you bring comfortable shoes to help you enjoy the walking that much more.
What are we going to be doing at night?
Whether it is a rocking dance party with your school after dinner, a hilarious theatre performance starring your teachers and friends, traditional entertainment at a sugar shack, a dazzling IMAX show, catching a professional theatre show, or participating in an informative walking tour, there is always something to do in the evenings which will be entertaining, amusing, and completely fun! We guarantee you will not be bored.
What time is curfew?
The night supervisor comes on duty at 10:00pm (for Canadian destinations), so most schools choose this to be the lights out / curfew time. However, this will vary from school to school and from night to night.
Back to Top
Money
How much money should I bring?
The amount you should bring depends on the trip you are going on. If all of your meals are included in the cost of the trip, then you will not need money for anything other than souvenirs (which you don't need tons of money for anyway). If some (or all) of your meals are NOT included in the cost of the trip, then they should bring about $15 for each meal on your own and then any additional money needed for souvenirs. You are usually only given a small amount of time dedicated primarily to shopping (there are gift-shops however at many of the stops), so it is not recommended that vast amounts of shopping money is brought.
If I get sick at the last minute or something serious comes up, can I get my money back?
If you must pull your child out of the trip at the last minute, you will receive a full refund minus the original $100 deposit.
Back to Top
What To Bring
Can I bring valuables?
It is not worth the risk to bring expensive electronics, jewellery, or irreplaceable items. Although all of our buses are locked when students are away from them and the hotels we use are secure and safe, anything can happen while travelling and it is not worth risking leaving something behind while in a restaurant or sight-seeing. It is best to leave expensive things at home.
How many bags can I bring on the bus?
One medium sized suitcase (on wheels are best) for clothing and one backpack for everything you may need regularly (books, wallet, diary, cards, etc). The suitcase can be stored out of the way under the bus while traveling, whilst the backpack can be carried onto the bus for easy access. Anything other items you may “need” to bring (coffee makers, “ghetto-blasters”, televisions) are non-essential.
Should I bring a camera?
Yes, of course. There are going to be countless photo opportunities you won’t want to miss. To be safe, it might be wise to bring disposable cameras.
What sort of clothes should I bring?
Read the weather forecast for your destination that week and go from there. It is wise to pack a variety of kinds of clothes and to dress in layers (ie; short-sleeved shirt, under a sweater, with a rain jacket). Always pack a warm sweater (even if it’s the summer), an umbrella (even if it’s not forecasted to rain), a rain jacket (even if you think they are dorky), extra socks (even if you never wear socks), and comfortable walking shoes (especially if you are planning on leaving the bus ever). Dress for the season. If you are going on a winter trip – bring lots of warm clothes (you are outside a lot), if you are going on a spring trip – be prepared for unpredictable weather. Always plan ahead. For more information, please refer to the packing list section of this site.
Will we have to bring our own linens and towels?
All hotels, residences, and pensions use their own linens. You do not need to bring your own. However, some residences and pensions require that you bring your own towel – if you are staying at one of these locations, your teacher will notify you of this. However, if your school were planning on going swimming anytime during the trip, it would be advisable to bring your own towel.
What else should I bring?
For the bus ride, you might want to pack some snacks / a lunch (consult your teacher if lunch is included on the road), a few books, magazines, a deck of cards, games to play, a camera, a notepad, some writing utensils, some homework (yeah right) and anything else that might help pass the time on the awesome bus ride.
Back to Top
Transportation
What kind of buses do you use (ie; are they old and junky)?
We have a great relationship with Coach Canada and Great Canadian bus lines. All of the buses that we use are modern, clean, and well equipped with heating, air conditioning, TV’s (with a VCR and usually a DVD player), and a washroom, so no, they are not junky in the least bit. All of the drivers that we use like working with students, are friendly, and professional.
What can we do on the bus (ie; is it going to be a painfully boring experience)?
It is a long bus ride, so your tour guide comes prepared with exciting stories, games, and interesting discussion topics to share with the group. Of course, the bus comes with a TV and a VCR (or DVD player in some cases), so you can always watch movies and relax while en route. It’s also advisable that the students bring a carry-on bag with things to do while on the bus.
What happens if the bus breaks down (ie; will our trip be ruined)?
Sometimes things can go a little wrong, even with the most modern and state of the art buses. If the bus breaks down, your tour guide is in radio communication with Keating Tours Ground Representatives and they will either send a replacement bus or a repairperson to fix the bus and get the group rolling again. It is a problem that is extremely unfortunate, but completely fixable, and no, your trip will not be ruined.
Back to Top
Food
Will the food be completely gross?
Wherever you travel, we strive to provide healthy, delicious, and yet uniquely cultural food options for you to enjoy. While travelling to experience a new culture, it is important to try new foods that you normally wouldn’t get at home (in other words, you will not be eating at McDonalds for every meal). Most groups will try a different restaurant for each meal in order to get a variety of tastes from the city. Also, you are often on your own for lunches, so if the desire arose, you can always sneak into a McDonalds for a meal.
I am a vegetarian, have dietary restrictions, or can’t eat certain foods because of my religion – am I going to starve?
No, of course not. There will always be alternatives, alternatives to the alternatives, and perhaps even alternatives to that. A form is sent to all of the restaurants that you will be eating at, notifying them of any serious allergies and dietary restrictions. The restaurants are all aware of how many vegetarians, allergic restrictions, and other dietary requests there are well in advance of your arrival and are very accommodating to your needs.
Back to Top
Health and Safety
What happens in the case of an Emergency and I need to go to a hospital?
In the event of an emergency, your tour guide will call 911 and an ambulance will take you, accompanied by a Keating Tours Representative and a chaperone from the school, to the nearest hospital. As soon as possible, you will be notified of the emergency and in conjunction with your parents / guardians and the medical professionals, the next step will be decided on. If a situation comes up that is not life threatening (ie; a sprained ankle), a taxi can be taken (with a Keating representative and a school chaperone accompanying the student) to the nearest hospital. Again, in all medical situations, your parents / guardians will always be contacted immediately.
Is the boat cruise safe?
The boat line that we use has a fleet of twenty boats. The fleet undergoes a rigorous inspection, as well as structural and technical improvements regularly. Transport Canada (Marine Safety Division) carries out an annual inspection of the premises and material and also submits the crew to a series of practical and technical tests. The boats are equipped with lifejackets as well as lifeboats for more than 1,000 passengers as required by Transport Canada.
What happens if the bus breaks down (ie; will our trip be ruined)?
Sometimes things can go a little wrong, even with the most modern and state of the art buses. If the bus breaks down, your tour guide is in radio communication with Keating Tours Ground Representatives and they will either send a replacement bus or a repairperson to fix the bus and get the group rolling again. It is a problem that is extremely unfortunate, but completely fixable, and no, your trip will not be ruined.
Back to Top
Supervision
Who is supervising us during the tour?
For every 10 students on the trip, there will be one adult chaperone (the chaperones will be decided on by your school) – these adult chaperones are usually teachers with the school, but can sometimes be parents. With the students, they will be riding on the bus, eating in restaurants, enjoying activities, exploring the city, and sharing memories – basically everywhere the students go, the chaperones go too.
Who is supervising us while the chaperones are sleeping?
Every trip with Keating Tours in Canada comes with a night supervisor who patrols the hallways and monitors the students from 10:00pm to 6:00am. The night supervisors fill out reports at the end of each night to notify the teachers of any problems or issues that happened during the night. The night supervisor ensures that all students stay in their rooms and get a good night sleep to prepare for an upcoming day jam packed with fun.
Back to Top
Tour Guides
Who is our Tour Guide going to be?
Keating tour guides are carefully selected University students from Ontario and Québec who are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and fun. They share a passion for working with young people like you and motivating and involving you and your peers in a positive learning environment. It takes an individual with strength, stamina and leadership to fulfill the role of a tour guide. Every year we interview approximately one hundred and eighty university students. The fifty guides we hire are mature, well-rounded individuals with special skills in history, geography, French, and other job-related fields. Our guides have criminal background checks and are also experienced in dealing with young people and enjoy working with students. Keating guides also undergo intensive training in the spring in preparation for their role as guides. Basically, they are some of the coolest people in the world and possibly your new best friend.
What is the tour guide responsible for?
The guide has 3 main tasks: 1) To work with the teachers and ensure a positive outcome to the trip. 2) To stimulate discussion, generate questions and highlight points of interest. 3) To monitor the details of the tour, including itinerary, meals and accommodations. But your guide does so much more than this – your tour guide brings to life the city you are exploring in dynamic and exciting ways. They relate the history of the city to current events, while explaining the personal significance of events to the lives of you and the other students. The tour guide also gets to know all of you on the bus and strives to understand their needs and personal interests. In many ways your tour guide is your lifeline while on tour and works at creating the best possible trip for you!
Back to Top
