Join the Benet Academy Senior Class Trip to London!

Our family is proud to continue service to the Benet family.  This year marks our 58th year of doing Benet trips!  For the class of 2027, we are going back to our roots with a tour of London. We'll see such amazing sites as Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden, the British Museum, St. Paul's Cathedral, Greenwich, the Tower of London, and the Imperial War Museum. London is a rich tapestry of culture, history and architecture! Please see Mr. Leffler or contact our office at info@blueprinttours.com with any questions.

This is a school sponsored and approved trip.  The Benet Academy Redwing Handbook applies to the student's conduct before and during this trip. 

The initial deposit of $300 is non-refundable and is due by September 20.  You are not signed up officially on the trip until the deposit is paid. Please note, this is a first come first serve trip so please sign up early to ensure your student has a spot on the trip.

How Billing Works:

After making your initial deposit of $300 in this portal, you will receive email reminders to visit your portal and make the final two payments.  The email that you enter in this portal will be the email where all billing reminders are sent.   We recommend this email belong to a parent or guardian.  The $300 deposit is not refundable and must be made to secure a place on this trip.

Credit Card vs. ACH Transfer:

We accept two types of payment in the WeTravel Portal: credit card or ACH transfer. If you elect to pay by ACH transfer from your checking or savings account, no processing fee will be assessed. If you elect to pay by credit card, you will be assessed a credit card payment fee (3%-3.9% depending on the type of card) by WeTravel. If you prefer to pay by personal check or cash, please contact our office at info@blueprinttours.com.

Auto-Billing:

Your account will be set up for auto-payment and the amount due will be automatically charged to the method of payment you used for your deposit. This means your payment method will be saved and payment will be deducted from your bank or credit card on the the due date. If you would like to opt-out of auto-payment or have any questions about payments, please send an email to info@blueprinttours.com. 

Payment Schedule:

1. Non-refundable deposit is due by September 20

2. The second payment will be due October 4 in the amount of $2094. 

3. The final payment of $2094 is due by November 4.  

Late payments could result in a forfeiture of your spot on the trip.  

Cancellation Policy:

In the event of cancellation, provided that all due payments have been made in time, refunds will be issued based on the following schedule: 

Cancellation between 10/5- 11/3 - $1000 refund. 

Cancellation between 11/4- 11/30 - $1500 refund

No refunds will be issued after December 1.

Cancellations must be sent in writing via email to info@blueprinttours.com.  Cancellations by phone will not be accepted. 

If this trip sells out, a wait list will be started.  Please add your name to the waitlist and you will be contacted by Blueprint Tours. 

We also ask if your plans change and you can no longer travel, please consider giving up your spot so a student on the waitlist can attend. 

General: Blueprint Tours, Inc., hereinafter referred to as Operator, acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accom­modations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. The Operator and their respective employees, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Operator is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tour / trips arranged by Operator. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of lug­gage or personal effects.   

Responsibility: The Operator assumes no liability for failure to provide the services and accommodations referred to in this brochure to the extent that such services and accommodations cannot be supplied due to delays or other causes beyond the control of the Operator. In absence of negligence on the part of the Operator, the participant agrees that Operator has no liability or responsibility of any persons due to any act, omission or negligence of any carrier, hotel, restaurant, coach company, sight seeing or guiding company, or any other persons rendering any of the services or portions of the itinerary. The participant further waives any claim against Operator, sponsor, and its group leaders for any such damage, loss, injury or death. Operator shall not be responsible for any delays, substitution of equipment, or any act or omission whatsoever by the suppliers of such services, their agents, servants, and employees, and the participant hereby waives any claim arising therefrom. Operator reserves the right to decline, accept, or retain any participant at any time for any reason. Op­erator reserves the right to cancel this tour prior to departure, in which case full or partial payment will be refunded without further obligation on Operator’s part. If terrorist act, terror threat, war, pandemic, act of God or other event would cause the Operator or sponsor to cancel or delay the tour, Operator shall not be responsible for refund. The passenger contract in use by the airline shall constitute the sole contract between the airline companies and the participant. Blueprint Tours, Inc. does not assume any costs, fees or liability associated with the extension of this tour caused by occurrences such as but not limited to extreme weather, natural disasters, terrorist action or threat, pandemic, or act of God. If a tour participant is required to remain in a country beyond the last day of the tour, all meals, lodging, transportation and other costs shall be the responsibility of the tour participant and /or their legal guardian. By forwarding the deposit and submitting the application, the participant agrees with these terms and conditions and certifies that they are free from any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazardous condition for participant or other participants. All tickets issued by any contractors are subject to any and all terms and conditions under which such means of transportation or other services are offered or provided and the issuance and acceptance of such tickets shall be deemed to be consent to the further conditions that the operators shall not be or become liable or responsible in any way in connection with such means of transportation or other services, or for any loss, injury, damage to or in respect of any person or property howsoever caused or arising. Opera­tor reserves the right to change the itinerary due to weather conditions, acts of God, political conditions, unscheduled or unanticipated closings, mechanical difficulties or other factors beyond the control of the Operator without consulting the participants. In addition, Operator also reserve the right to make such alterations in the itinerary determined to be desirable by the Operator to provide for convenience of parties and smooth operation of tour. Participant has no right to refund or other considerations in the event of changes to the itinerary.

On all trips with persons under 18 years of age, and at the discretion of the teachers or chaperones, the legal guardians will be asked to sign an agreement and pay the costs associated with any disciplinary measures.   Please read the policy and be sure you are prepared to sign and comply before paying your non-refundable deposit of $300.   We will ask you to digitally sign this policy on this portal and then again at the parent/student meeting which will be held at Benet Academy in late November/early December.

Blueprint Tours, Inc. Alcohol, Vaping and Drug Policy

I ______________________ will be participating in a tour run by Blueprint Tours, Inc.

(Please print participant’s name)

I understand that the possession or use of drugs at any time during this tour is

prohibited by the tour company. It is understood that this includes the use of marijuana

and its byproducts, nicotine or other drugs ingested or “vaped”. Therefore, I agree not

to possess or use illegal drugs at any time during the tour. I understand that Blueprint Tours

is in no way responsible for my actions, safety, or legal status if I refused to abide

by this agreement.

____________________________________________

Signature of tour participant – (required)

____________________________________________

Signature of parent or guardian (if a student is a minor)

___________

Date

For those tour participants under 21 years of age:

I ______________________ will be participating in a tour run by Blueprint Tours, Inc.

(Please print your name)

I understand the possession or use of alcohol at any time during this tour is prohibited by

the tour company. I understand that if I am traveling to a foreign country, I may be of

legal drinking age in that country. I also understand, that even if I am not of legal

drinking age, I may be able to be served alcohol or able to procure alcohol on my own in

a foreign country. Regardless, I agree that I will not possess or use alcohol at any time

during the tour. I also agree to submit to a breathalyzer exam and/or a search of my

belongings and/or hotel room if asked. I understand that Blueprint Tours is in no way

responsible for my actions, safety or legal status if I refuse to abide by this agreement.

____________________________________________

Signature of tour participant – (required)

____________________________________________

Signature of parent or guardian (if a student is a minor)

___________

Date

Blueprint Tours, Inc.

Travel for Minors and Disciplinary Consent Form

I, as the lawful parent/custodial guardian of the below named minor, hereby give my consent for travel with the Blueprint Tours representative and their accompanying teacher chaperones on this school trip, with dates and locations as identified in the tour brochure.

In the event the teachers, escorts and/or chaperones on the trip determine that my child’s words or actions are disruptive, or my child has exhibited behavior that may lead him/her to be a danger to himself/herself or others, my child may be required to return home before the completion of the trip.  If a decision is made by the teachers, escorts and/or chaperones to send my child home before the completion of the trip, I agree, as the legal guardian, to pay for all expenses associated with such discipline.  Specifically, I agree to purchase a one-way ticket from the closest airport to my home airport for my child.  I also agree that either I or my designee (i.e. a relative, caregiver, etc.) will meet my child at the airport closest to where my child is currently traveling on the tour and then escort my child home.  The airfares for such a disciplinary event and all associated costs (extra hotel rooms, meals) will be at my expense and paid by me.  No advance will be provided by Blueprint Tours, Inc. to cover such costs.

My child’s conduct in and out of school prior to the departure of the trip is also important.  Regardless of whether or not this is a school sponsored trip, any student may be dropped from the tour at the discretion of the chaperones or the tour operator if that student is disciplined by the school for behavior or is involved in any illegal activity, including but not limited to arrest, suspension, expulsion or a lesser form of school discipline.  If such an event occurs, the cancellation policy on the back of the Blueprint Tours’ brochure will govern the amount of money the student is entitled to, if any, as a refund.  This may result in a forfeiture of the full value of the trip. 

I have read the above agreement and agree to comply with the terms and conditions if my child is asked to leave a trip early due to disciplinary problems or forfeits his or her opportunity to travel with the group due to disciplinary issues prior to the trip’s departure.

______________________________

Student’s Name: (please print)

______________________________________________________________________

Signature of parent or guardian

______________________________________________________________________

Printed Name of parent or legal guardian

___________  

Date

Baggage: Each student may check one piece of luggage. Standard airline weight limits and dimensions apply. Participant will be informed of the permitted baggage allowance for the tour. In addition, participants will be allowed one “carry-on” piece of luggage small enough to fit under an airline seat, plus one personal item (i.e. purse or small backpack). If you have questions regarding baggage and carry-on luggage, you are encouraged to refer to the air carrier’s website. Operator assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen luggage, personal belongings or excess baggage charges.

Documents Required:

1) Each person must have a valid passport that has an expiration date at least six months beyond the tour return date. All travel docu­ments and costs affiliated with obtaining them are the sole responsibility of the participant. Please note, passport wait times may be longer .  If you have yet to apply for or renew your passport, please do so immediately. You will be asked to upload your passport in this portal. All passports are due by November 1.

2) The is an additional electronic visa requirement for visitors to the UK. It is an easy process and is done through a phone app. We will send additional details after enrollment.

Today we’ll gather at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for our check-in and flight to London. Our group leaders will meet us at the airport and will continue with us throughout our journey. After an inflight meal, a nap and breakfast, we’ll arrive in England.

After arriving at London’s Heathrow International Airport, we’ll clear passport control, collect our luggage, and meet our private motor coach. Today we will travel to nearby Windsor Castle, the spectacular suburban residence of the king. After our day in Windsor, we'll check in at our London hotel and then head to Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Simon Stock Church. This evening will be a “Tube” orientation, allowing us to see some of the main sites by night, followed by dinner in the Soho area.

This morning we’ll visit Westminster Abbey, the final resting place of royals, writers and scientists. You may recognize it from the funeral service for Queen Elizabeth II. We’ll see Poet’s Corner and the breath-taking Henry VII Chapel, a masterwork of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. We’ll then continue with a walk down Whitehall past Downing Street, the home of the Prime Minister, followed by a visit to see the King’s Horse Guards and Trafalgar Square. We’ll then visit the bustling Covent Garden Market area for lunch. This afternoon we’ll have the opportunity to visit the British Museum, a treasure trove of world antiquities including the Elgin Marbles of the Parthenon frieze, the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and Grecian urns.

We’ll visit the Tower of London. This massive castle complex on the Thames has served as armory, barracks, treasury and most interestingly, a prison and execution site. Here we’ll see the Crown Jewels and hear stories of treason and intrigue. After our visit to the Tower, we’ll head to historic Spittalfields Market for shopping and food. Tonight we have a theater performance!

This morning we’ll make our way the Imperial War Museum. This museum touts one the largest collections of military hardware. More than that, its well organized and compelling exhibits teach us about the futility of war, chronicled through the major conflicts of the 20th Century. This evening, we’ll attend a theater performance.

Today we’ll depart via Docklands Light Rail to Greenwich. Once the site of a royal palace, this picturesque city on the outskirts of London is home to the Royal Observatory, the Royal Naval College, the famous Cutty Sark vessel, and a lovely pedestrian market. We'll tour all these significant sites before returning to our hotel to get ready for our New Year's Eve theater performance. We'll then head back to Kensington and ring in the New Year.

Happy New Year! This morning, we’ll start at the Victoria and Albert Museum, home to the largest collection of decorative arts in the world. After seeing the main sights at this incredible museum, we'll head to the St. Pauls area for lunch. Then we'll see Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, the second largest church in Christendom behind St. Peter’s in Rome. We’ll have time to visit the crypt and climb to the Whispering Gallery and the dome exterior for a spectacular view of London. We’ll then cross the Millennium Bridge, prominently featured in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and visit the Tate Modern Museum, housed in a re-used power plant. Here we can get a wonderful panoramic view of St. Paul’s illuminated.

This morning we’ll leave for London’s Heathrow Airport and our journey home. As we depart for Chicago, we will leave the United