At BRT, we’ve taken travelers on several hundred international tours, where young performers come face to face with places and cultures they’ve only dreamed about.
Along the way, we’ve seen that many educators assume that traveling abroad is just that – a dream. We’re over the moon to show them how international travel isn’t just possible, it’s often easier than they think. And today, we’re here to show you – so grab your passport and let’s get going!
The Value May Surprise You
Whether your group is traveling to London or Los Angeles, trip cost is always top of mind for students and their families – as it should be. But more often than not, price is the most frequent misconception when it comes to international travel.
Our clients are often pleasantly surprised at how affordable traveling abroad can be, especially when they realize the value of the experience compared to the cost. While an international experience is understandably more expensive than a trip within the States, what students receive for the investment is off the charts. New perspectives, a new level of self-responsibility, exposure to new languages and customs – simply put, an international trip opens their eyes to the world like nothing else can.
Our longstanding relationships with vendors around the world give us access to the best pricing possible, not to mention peak availability, off-the-beaten-path experiences and stellar service. You may find that fundraising is actually easier for an international trip, as the size of the adventure is motivating to those in your community. And our Trip Donations by BRT Payments feature makes travel more accessible than ever, offering students a simple way to “crowd-fund” their travel expenses – friends and family can donate with a few quick and secure clicks!
Distance Is Relative
Time for some travel math. Group A wants to travel from Ohio to New York for a spring performance tour. Travel time via motor coach = 10 hours. Group B wants to travel from Indiana to Orlando for the Thanksgiving Parade of Bands. Travel time via motor coach = 24 hours. Group C wants to travel from Illinois to Paris. Travel time via airplane = 8 hours.
Yes, Paris is farther away, but when it comes to speed, air travel beats motor coach every time. These days, the world is small – you can sometimes step foot in a new country in less than time than it takes to get to your summer vacation. Technology makes distance seem irrelevant too, since FaceTime works just as well in Decatur as it does in Dublin. So don’t let geography hold you and your students back from international adventures – the world is literally just a plane ride (or FaceTime call!) away.
Our Experience Makes All the Difference
Traveling with students, especially student performers, involves hundreds of details – from transportation to lodging to food to performance venues and more. That’s why you need an experienced travel planner in your corner, handling logistics behind the scenes so you can focus on your students, the music and the incredible experience unfolding around you.
We’ve been traveling internationally for more than 40 years, so we’ve learned a few tricks. We’re with you from the time you depart for your home airport to the time you land safely back in the States, managing details and anticipating challenges. But even before that, we prep you with all the information you need to make traveling abroad simple and streamlined – whether you’re concerned about currency, power adapters or which luggage to bring.
Our international team can provide guidance on everything from passports and safety abroad to different cultures – in short, you’ll never have to wonder what to do or when to do it. And with an English-speaking tour director on every international tour, language barriers aren’t barriers at all.
If you’ve pictured your students performing in Paris, taking selfies in front of Buckingham Palace or discovering the wonders of Rome, we hope you’ll share those travel dreams with us. Need some fuel for those international travel daydreams? Check out some student favorites here. Or connect with our international team today!