Passports International Teacher Conventions Recap

Approximately 150 American educators descended upon Dublin, Ireland and San Juan, Puerto Rico on two separate bonus trips sponsored by passports within the past month.  

What’s so special about these bonus trips?   

First, teachers travel without their students for a change!  

Second, teachers get to meet passports employees, and vice-versa.This is important because most of our business is conducted by telephone and email.It’s so great to “put a face with the voice”, and really get to know each other in a relaxed environment.   

Third, it’s not really work (shhhh, don’t tell our bosses!).  We admit to making a brief speech or two about passports, perhaps including new products and promotions, but we don’t impose lengthy meetings or seminars just because we have a captive audience.  These tours are truly a getting-to-know-you experience, with plenty of free time for exploring on your own, or sightseeing with the group.  Everything is optional.  You don’t need to feel obligated to hang out with us, although we really enjoy it when you do. 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM DUBLIN:

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Luxury accommodations in the 5-star Gresham Hotel (where Liz Taylor’s suite still exists).
• Literary “pub crawl” focusing on Joyce, Yeats, Shaw, Behan, and of course, Oscar Wilde.
• Musical “pub crawl” featuring local musicians playing traditional Irish folk music.  There’s even a chance for audience participation!
• Full-day excursion to Belfast, Northern Ireland (including a not-to-be-missed visit to Titanic Belfast – the birthplace of the doomed ship).
• “Farewell dinner” at the Jameson Distillery, complete with local musicians andthe famed Jameson Irish Dancers.  

AND FROM SAN JUAN:

Full-day sightseeing tour of Old San Juan, including a visit to Castillo San Cristobal where breathtaking views contrast with prison dungeons that take your breath away in a whole different way.
Accommodations at the Intercontinental, a 5-star hotel right on the beach, in the happening city of Carolina, 24-hour pool and hot tub included!
Half-day excursion to El Yunque Rainforest.
“Farewell dinner” at a local restaurant, featuring authentic Puerto Rican fare and traditional la plena musicians singing and playing panderetas.
The best part of this trip?  No jet lag (for most attendees), warm weather, andPuerto Rico is a U.S. Territory, which means no pesky currency exchange.

Where next?  That announcement is coming soon, and you can get in on the fun!