Frequently Asked Questions
ARE YOU A REAL COMPANY?
YES! We were established in 2016 and survived Covid! At Bookbag Tours, we pride ourselves on customer service. All emails, calls and texts should be answered within 48 business hours. If you have reached out to us and have not had a response, please check your SPAM. If nothing is there, then please reach out again. Chances are it got lost in the electronic world somewhere.
Email us at contact@bbtglobal.us, or text/call +1-864-907-9874 and leave a message. If we do not answer and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
HOW DO I BOOK A TRIP?
Click here or click on "TRIPS" link above! By clicking on a trip, you will be guided through easy steps to register!
CAN YOU HOLD A SPOT FOR ME UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO PAY OR TO SEE IF I GET THE PROJECT FUNDED?
With your non refundable deposit, we are able to hold your spot until the payment deadline. We also provide customizable payment plans upon requests.
IF THE TRIP IS FULL, IS IT REALLY FULL OR CAN THERE BE SOME FLEXIBILITY?
When a trip is full, you can join a waiting list on the trip registration page.
IS THIS EXPERIENCE JUST FOR TEACHERS?
Absolutely not! Anyone is welcome to join us. Non-educators cannot go into the schools with the rest of the group, but they are welcome to participate in all other activities. If you have a question about this possibility, email us and we can discuss your options.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE COST OF ALL TRIPS?
Hotel and/or Host stay, see listing.
Airport Transfers (subject to trip)
All Breakfasts
Bookbag Tours Conclusive Summit Dinner.
Any group activities that are planned by us as a part of the trip. Optional activities planned on your own are excluded.
Your amazing Trip Leaders, your Professional Development facilitators, and our On-Site and Off-Site Team members!
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
Flights to and from your destinations are not included in the cost of our trips unless otherwise stated on the trip registration page. Travel insurance and Visas are not included. We do offer travel insurance (see below) and the links to apply for your visa approximately two months beforehand via a link in your private WhatsApp group.
IS INSURANCE PROVIDED?
Not included but you have the option to purchase from our recommended vendor. As avid travelers ourselves, we highly recommend travel insurance. Email contact@bbtglobal.us directly for a quote and to learn coverage options. Or, you can visit https://www.squaremouth.com/22569 directly and shop for insurance. This is a very informative link and will be a great asset for your travel insurance needs.
SHOULD I REGISTER WITH MY WORK OR PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS?
We ask that you book using your personal email address that you check the most. Please also be sure that our emails do not go to your spam folder.
DO I NEED TO BE ACCEPTED OR APPLY TO ATTEND A TRIP?
No, we are completely inclusive!
AM I THE RIGHT TYPE OF TEACHER FOR THIS TRIP?
When it comes to the "type" of teachers who join us on our trips....well, we have a "Kind People Only" sort of vibe. Our Bookbag Tours teachers are warm, friendly, open-minded, flexible, inclusive of everyone, and absolutely must love an adventure! (Racism, exclusion of others, and clique’s are not allowed in our programs.)
[Special Note: We also understand that we are not for everyone, as we are not a very strict, formal, or stuffy type of PD. Our PD is organic, fluid, creative and filled with optimistically friendly, open-minded, accepting of others differences— kind of folks who love to travel and learn from their peers, as much as they love teaching!]
WHAT DOES THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LOOK LIKE?
Professional PD with Bookbag Tours is very fluid and organic. You will spend time reflecting with other teachers, networking and chatting about ideas, struggles, successes, best practices, etc... the entire trip!
In addition, you will receive informally-structured PD from our leaders, and/or, school leaders in the host country. All of our PD has an element of Global Collaboration, but may also include fundamental topics such as:
Closing Opportunity Gaps
Teacher Productivity
Math Strategies
Literacy Strategies
Student-Led Classrooms
Intentional Skill-Building Feedback
What Equity and Cultural Inclusivity Really Looks Like in the Classroom
Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages
Student Engagement / Relationships
Parent Involvement
Project Based Learning
Purposeful Lesson Planning
School Operations
Curriculum Mapping
Classroom Management
Differentiation
And other topics, based on the needs of our teachers.
All PD varies and is developed by our trip leaders and/or school leaders in the host country around April of that same year. If there is something specific you require. Email us and we can help you pick the country that will best fit your needs! contact@bbtglobal.us
HOW DO I GET PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT?
First, you will receive a formal certificate of your PD hours. Several states and districts are already acquainted with Bookbag Tours and endorsed by Palmetto State Teacher’s Association. Most districts will give credit and some may not. Please speak to your administration for requirements of professional development before booking. Contact us if additional information is needed.
I AM ATTENDING WITH A TEACHER FRIEND(S), SHOULD WE BOOK ALL TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY TO ENSURE THAT WE ROOM TOGETHER?
Book individually, or together. On the registration form there is a place to put roommate choice. We will take care of you. When coming as a group, we just ask that you stay open for new friendships and be sure to make new meaningful friendships too, as we at Bookbag Tours try to make every teacher feel included.
WHAT ABOUT THE FLIGHT?
We're glad you asked! We keep our costs lower for you by providing you the opportunity, and flexibility, to book your own flight. You can fly from anywhere in the world to our learning destination and even use your frequent flyer miles if you like! For some trips (limited), we put together a group flight. Any group flights that are available will be posted in Nov/Dec in your private group. We are available to help you discover the best options when flying to your destination.
HOW MUCH DO FLIGHTS COST? CAN YOU GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE?
Due to the vast amount of changes that can occur to increase or decrease airline prices, that are out of our foresight… we can never give you an estimate on price of flights. We can tell you what clients have paid in the past, but we can never guarantee or promise that it will be the same for the following year since it is completely out of our control. Please call airlines directly for estimate prices.
WHEN SHOULD I START LOOKING TO BOOK AIRLINE TICKETS AND WHERE SHOULD I BOOK THEM FROM?
Airlines release ticket prices approximately 9-11 months before the departure dates. Booking early is key to getting great rates but most airlines discount their prices 120-160 days before your trip. Start the research early so that you can recognize a good rate when you see one! Book directly from the Airline. These are sites we recommend for search purposes: skyscanner.com and flights.google.com.
SHOULD I GET TSA PRE✓?
That is up to you, but as avid travelers, we enjoy using our Global Entry pass (aka Trusted Travelers Program), which includes TSA pre-check. TSA pre-check is domestic only. Please email them with questions as we are not affiliated with them whatsoever.
WHICH COUNTRY WILL I NEED VACCINES FOR?
Not all countries need vaccination like Yellow Fever, etc…. Please speak with your physician as to which vaccines you will need. It is different for everyone.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
Breakfast and Summit Dinner are included on all trips. All other meals are not included as our guests love to choose their own meals and not be stuck in a "meals package" so they can try out different cuisines or visit any restaurant of their choosing.
IS THERE A PAYMENT PLAN?
You begin with a non refundable deposit to hold your spot. After we receive your deposit, you will automatically be set up on a monthly payment plan to be charged to your credit card or bank account on the 16th of the month with the final payment to be made approximatly 90 days prior to the trip start date, unless you contact us to make other arrangements. To make other arrangements, contact us at contact@bbtglobal.us.
WHEN IS FINAL PAYMENT DUE?
Final payment is due approximately 3 months before the start date of your trip. If you are registering for a trip inside of 90 days, payment in full is expected at registration.
IS MY PD TRIP REFUNDABLE IF SOMETHING COMES UP?
Cancellation policy effective December 27, 2021
We know, especially after COVID, that sometimes things happen. We try to be as flexible as possible, but like everyone else, we have bills to pay.
If you choose to cancel your trip by December 31st, or 120 days before the first day of your trip, whichever comes first, you will receive a refund less your non-refundable deposit.
If you choose to cancel your trip after December 31st, or with less than 120 days before the first day of your trip, whichever comes first, you will receive no refund.
Because things change and unexpected things in life happen, I strongly recommend Travel Insurance. Without travel insurance you will not be guaranteed a refund. You may use any Travel Insurance company.
Here is a link to a quotes from several reputable companies:
https://www.squaremouth.com/22569
We can answer most travel insurance questions you may have, or even do a zoom with you to help you book your insurance. If you have questions contact us at contact@bbtglobal.us.
I DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT, SHOULD I WAIT TO BOOK?
No. Unfortunately, passports are out of our control, we do not give refunds to anyone that cannot travel due to not having a passport or VISA. Our advice, get the passport ASAP and secure you VISA within 2 months of your trip. Make sure your expiration date is longer than 6 months from the ending of your trip.
Note: beginning January of 2024, US Citizens will need a Euro VISA (ETIAS). For more information, please visit their site here.
HOW DO TEACHERS AFFORD THIS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON A TEACHER SALARY? ARE THERE GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, OR PERSONAL FUNDS?
Most of our teachers are avid-travelers or dream of travel. Most are personal funds they usually budget for, similar to budgeting for a special trip. We do offer a payment plan and this helped our teachers to budget. There are also a ton of grants and scholarships for professional development and travel out there. Many schools have also paid for their teachers to attend. We recently heard that Donor’s Choose is back to funding PD Grants, so you can also check that out.
I JUST BOOKED, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Yay! Your confirmation email will have the next steps. Welcome to the Bookbag Tours Fam!
ARE YOU STILL DOING HOME-STAYS?
Yes, sometimes. This is trip dependent.
WHO ARE THE LEADERS? CAN I BE ONE?
Click here to meet our team! Our entire staff and leaders are current or former educators and educational leaders. All Professional Development trip leaders must be or have been in current District leadership positions and have experience giving PD in schools. Exceptions will be made for people that have taken trips with us. Your 10 days is part of the interview process. On the trips, our leaders are always looking for “the right people” to possibly become future leaders.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
A thorough packing list will be sent to you before your trip! Some things you DEFINITELY need:
A passport that doesn't expire any sooner than 6 months of your trip
International travel adaptor
Spending money for lunch, dinner, shopping, or anything you do in your free time
A great attitude
CAN I BRING MY SPOUSE OR CHILD?
You can definitely bring anyone who is self-sufficient. They might not be able to attend the schools if they are not a teacher, but many of the spouses will explore the area while you are in a training session (and they have fun doing it!) When it comes to children, unfortunately, it is not recommended for anyone under 16. If you have an older teen who thinks it's fun to hang out with a bunch of teachers, than give our director an email at contact@bbtglobal.us to discuss.
If you'd like to plan a family trip or vacation....please visit BBT Travel
IF I BRING MY SPOUSE OR CHILD, DO THEY GET A DISCOUNTED RATE?
Unfortunately, since our costs do not lower, the price is the same.
WHEN DO YOU RELEASE THE TRIPS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR?
We try to release trips two years in advance. We email our Alumni first, and a few days later will email our subscribers (we recommend you sign up for early access). We will then publicly post any open spots afterwards.
IS THERE A WAY I COULD GO EARLY OR EXTEND MY STAY?
Definitely, as long as you are present for our opening welcome reception to meet your hosts. We are willing to assist by contacting BBT Travel, to extend your journey on the front end or back end of the trip. Just let us know your preferred dates and we can help with planning, lodging, transportation, and any activities you would want to do. Email us at contact@bbtglobal.us for assistance.
I AM NOW OFFICIALLY PART OF THE BBT FAMILY AND WOULD LOVE TO BRAG ABOUT BBT TOURS TO MY OWN FRIENDS AND FAMILY. HOW CAN I DO THAT? IS THERE A REFERRAL CREDIT PROGRAM?
Yes! Bookbag Tours members will spread the news of our trips through social media, blogs, email and conversations. Bookbag Tours Alumni and members receive a $100 referral credit on all booked trips they have referred, so be sure they mention your name when we ask how they heard about us on the registration form!
WILL BBT HELP US WITH TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT?
We provide information to assist you with your travels to and from the airport.
WHAT IS THE TEACHER TO LEADER RATIO FOR EACH TRIP?
We keep about a 15:1 Teacher to Leader ratio on our trips. This gives our teachers the atmosphere to create lifetime bonds amongst their fellow teachers and our leaders (what we’re famous for!)
IS THERE A WAITLIST?
Yes, many of our trips fill up fast. When a trip becomes full, you will be prompted to join the waitlist.
Travel Information
SHOULD I GET TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Travel insurance is highly recommended. It is a personal choice. As avid travelers, travel insurance brings us peace of mind. If you’d like to purchase travel insurance you can visit https://www.squaremouth.com/22569 directly and shop for insurance. This is a very informative link and will be a great asset for your travel insurance needs.
WHAT AIRPORT WILL I BE FLYING IN TO? AND WHICH REQUIRE A VISA?
See itinerary and details on the WeTravel page of your trip for arrival/departure airport. Contact us if you have a question regarding this or VISA questions as requirements are changing and being updated.
WHERE AND WHEN DO I GET MY VISA?
The governments do not allow you to apply for a VISA until three months before your trip. We will be posting more info to your private WhatsApp on how to apply for a VISA.