Explore America Tours, Inc. has worked with high school exchange programs since 1988 to provide safe, fun tours for students aged 15 - 19. Your organization has partnered with us to offer you these great tour opportunities because of our professional history and expertise at creating exciting travel programs for international students.

Yes, as long as they are aged between 15 - 19 and have permission from their school and parents to join the tour.

Can we share a room with my friend?

Yes, however all rooms are assigned same gender. Most students do not know anyone before the tour begins, but everyone goes home with lots of new friends.

What is included in the tour cost?

We include breakfast, dinner, entrance fees to all listed attractions, transportation while on tour, airport transfers, hotel accommodations (quad occupancy-  4 per room, 2 per bed), professional tour staff, chaperones, taxes and tips.  Meals include beverage, tax and tip.

What else do I need to pay for?

         Money for lunches, shopping , and other personal expenses are also

         not included. Figure on $6-9 per day for lunches and snacks.     

         Shopping budgets are up to you.

Is airfare included in the cost for the tour? 

Airfare from your local host community to the tour beginning point is not included.

Yes, we can assist you, or you may book your own ticket. 

Yes, you can do as many tours as you are permitted to join by your school, exchange program and host family.

Yes, but not for us.  Your exchange program will require written permission, generally before they grant permissin for you to travel with us.  Some exchange organizations will accept an email from your parents.

Yes, if your grades are not satisfactory or if you are on probation for bad behavior, you will not be allowed to join our tours. 

Will I get more information on the tour?

Three weeks before the tour, we will send you a complete tour packet with all of the tour details, contact telephone numbers, itinerary, etc. If you have questions before then, just email us.

Do you have an emergency phone number for my parents while I am on tour?

Explore America Tours, Inc. office will be open during business hours, and during any hours when students are flying.  Students and Host families are also given all hotel phone numbers. We maintains a 24-hour emergency contact telephone number while you are on tour, just in case you need to be contacted in a hurry, but this is only for true emergencies.

Is my plane ticket refundable?

Most discount airline tickets are non-refundable, which means that will not get a refund for the ticket if you do not travel. Most airlines will allow you to use the value of the ticket against another ticket later, however they will charge a fee for the change, which is usually $100.00.

Can I buy travel insurance?

Most students do not buy coverage, but it is available. Please ask us for more information on travel insurance and we will send you information. 

We do our best to assist in locating the cheapest fares, but there may be specials somewhere else we weren't aware of.   See this page for more airfare information.

Chaperone Questions

All Explore America programs are chaperoned and supervised day and night by our professional tour staff as well as chaperones from our partner exchange programs.

Are there times when students are not supervised?

Yes, inside amuesment parks, mall or other shopping areas students are free to explore in groups of 3 or more.

How many adults will there be ?

It depends on the trip, but there are generally 3-4 adults per bus.

Payment Questions

Can I pay in installments?

Yes, after we receive your deposit form and first $100.00, the balance can be paid either by credit card, check, money order or travelers checks (in installments) up until 30 days before the tour.   If you have registered on line, you may log back in and make payments anytime.

How can I pay ?

 

We accept credit cards and debit cards that allow card-holder not present transactions.  we cannot accept ATM cards or any card that needs a PIN number to work.  We also accept checks and money orders and traveler's checks.  The US banking system is not part of the European banking system, and payments "by account"  do not work here.  You may send a "international wire transfer" to pay for an entire trip - but not a deposit.  In this case the sender is responsible for any fees charged by the intermediary banks.

.

Can I change my mind?

 

If you cancel more than 45 days before the tour date, you will receive a full refund, less a $25 processing fee. If you cancel between 30-45 days before the tour, there will be a $100.00 cancellation fee. If you cancel between 1-30 days before the tour date, there will be no refund. Refunds on your airline tickets are your responsibility, and you will need to contact the airline directly. Most tickets are non-refundable.

 

Trip Rules

Violation of trip rules may result in Explore America grounding a student or ending a student’s tour participation.  If a student is sent home early from this trip, there is no refund.  In addition, the student will have to purchase an airline ticket at his or her own expense.  Your exchange organization may take additional disciplinary action as needed

.

• You must follow all laws of the United States, the various states and cities we visit, rules of your host organization, rules of the hotels and other spots we visit and the rules of Explore America.
• There is a nightly curfew.  All students must remain in their rooms after curfew.  Students have assigned rooms for the tour duration.  Students must sleep in their own room.  The hotel front desk has the rooming list, and we must follow it.
• During any free time activities, students must stay in groups of 3 or more.  Groups of 3 or more are for student safety.  If something happens to one student, one can stay and one can go for help. 
• Students may socialize with any other students on the trip, but not with non-tour participants.  Students may not have anyone in their room that is not part of the tour.  Students should not give out your room number to anyone not on the tour.
• You may not leave the tour group or meet with friends or family not on tour wihtout getting written permission before the tour begins.
• Smoking:  To buy, possess, or smoke cigarettes or other tobacco is illegal for those under 18 years of age
• Body Alterations:  No piecing, tattoos, hair dye or other alterations to your current appearance.  If you want a make-over wait until you get home.
• This is an English language trip.  We speak English and only English.  If your roommates do not all speak the same language, your room should be English only as well.  It is considered rude to speak another language and exclude your fellow travelers. 
• Many  U.S. cities have curfew laws for those under 18 when not accompanied by an adult.   Students may be out later than that, but only with a chaperones.  Drinking and Drugs.  Alcohol or drugs will result in immediate trip termination.  We believe in collective responsibility.  That means if students are in a room with drugs or alcohol, they are guilty as well, even if it belongs to a roommate.  Let the host organizations determine if the student is lying or telling the truth.
• Nothing with wheels or motors.  That means no roller-skates, bikes, motorcycles, taxi’s, or buses or anything else with wheels or motors unless your chaperones or guides give specific permission.
• Your guides and chaperones may share other rules with you.