Program Description

Weissman Teen Tours

Summer Programs
United States/Western Canada, Hawaii, and Europe


		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact
Ronee and Eugene Weissman
Weissman Teen Tours
517 Almena Avenue
Ardsley, New York 10502
914-693-7575
800-942-8005 (toll-free outside New York State)
Fax: 914-693-4807
http://www.weissmantours.com
E-mail: wtt@cloud9.net

Type of Program: Activity-oriented travel
Participants: Coeducational, ages 13–18 (grouped compatibly by age)
Enrollment: Europe, 45 per group; United States/Western Canada 40 Day and 30 Day, 40 per group; Hawaii (two- and three-week), 30 per group
Program Dates: Europe five-week, late June through early August; four-week, late June through late July; United States/Western Canada 40 Day, early July through mid-August; 30 Day, early July through early August; Hawaii three-week, late July through mid-August; two-week, early August through mid-August
Heads of Program: Eugene, Ronee, Adam, and Ilana Weissman, Founders/Owners/Directors

Background and Philosophy

“We’re family . . . not just another teen tour” clearly defines the degree of warmth and caring that best describes the Weissman Experience. Each tour is personally escorted by Ronee, Eugene, Adam, or Ilana Weissman and their experienced staff. From the inception of their program thirty-four years ago, the Weissmans have devoted themselves to providing tours that are the most personalized in the student travel field. The Weissmans stress quality, not quantity, allowing them to direct their attention to each teen as an individual and to guarantee a personally customized experience for everyone. Despite a waiting list every year, the program is limited to one European tour group, two United States/Western Canadian tour groups, and two Hawaiian tour groups.
Students develop friendships and a genuine respect for themselves, their natural surroundings, and the people they come in contact with wherever they go. Ronee, Eugene, Adam, and Ilana have given the Weissman Student Tour its unique, family-oriented style and unusual togetherness that all its members share.

Program Offerings

Weissman Tours offers two Hawaiian, two European, and two U.S. itineraries, which provide high-quality, action-packed—yet leisurely—experiences that are among the best in student travel. The domestic program focuses on the national parks, big cities, and resort activity centers located in the far western portion of the U.S. and Canada. The three-week Aloha Hawaii tour includes a magnificent Carnival cruise to Ensenada, Mexico (also included as part of the U.S./Western Canadian tours), in addition to beautiful Hawaiian oceanfront resorts. The European Experience encompasses England, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Italy, combining the exploration of the culture and history of the cities with the recreation and outdoor adventure found in some of the most magnificent resorts in Europe.
The Weissman Tours are incredibly active, with planned activities every day and evening. Since they are not wasting time setting up and taking down tents, everyone has more time to explore the cities and to enjoy all of the fabulous adventures travel has to offer. The Weissmans personally lead their groups on hikes, bicycling adventures, white-water rafting, kayaking, sailing, parasailing and waterskiing, horseback riding, snowboarding, skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, golfing, and organized sports. The resorts also provide health clubs and fitness centers with the most up-to-date equipment and classes in aerobics and calisthenics. Every evening, teens enjoy dance clubs, TV tapings, concerts, shows, cruises, skating, campfires, comedy clubs, and much more. Since the program’s jet flights are longer and the bus rides are shorter than those on other student tours, students on a Weissman Teen Tour have more time to experience, appreciate, and enjoy the cities and parks and all they have to offer.

Enrollment

Weissman Teen Tours attracts students from the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Teens who travel with the Weissmans live together, work together, share responsibilities, and learn while having fun, enabling each tour member to develop lasting friendships within a warm family atmosphere.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

Having the owner lead the tours fosters spontaneity and affords the group special opportunities that they would never have otherwise experienced. The Weissman Tour has often dined at restaurants that are “off the beaten trail” in Europe, where English is not spoken and the food and ambience are local and incredible. If a meaningful adventure should suddenly present itself, the Weissmans jump at the chance to participate. Groups have, for example, joined the North American Indian Council meeting in Montana, witnessing tribal dances as well as making new pen pals. The European group has dined at a magnificent villa overlooking the Tuscan countryside as guests of friends of the Weissmans, joined a “Sweet 16” party at an Italian dance club by invitation of the owner of an exquisite European hotel, challenged some Swiss friends to a game of tennis in Zermatt, and participated in a special presentation at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam planned especially for the Weissman group.

Facilities

The Weissmans prepare throughout the year, personally visiting hotels, restaurants, and activities prior to booking groups. Teens are welcomed warmly, as if part of the hotel “family,” upon their arrival. The U.S./Western Canadian itinerary features a well-balanced combination of centrally located deluxe and first-class hotels in the major cities, such as Hiltons, Marriotts, Hyatts, and Sheratons; a four-night Carnival Paradise Cruise; national park lodges; and resort activity centers. In addition, the Aloha Hawaii tour includes magnificent, activity-oriented, deluxe oceanfront resorts, plus a four-day Carnival Cruise. In Europe, the superior four- and five-star hotels are all selected for their location, strictly European ambience, excellent facilities, and safety regulations. Students awaken each morning to all the city has to offer. There is definitely an advantage to sleeping in a dry, safe, and beautiful hotel with plenty of great facilities, including pools, Jacuzzis, health clubs, and tennis courts—all waiting for the Weissman group to relax in after a busy day of activity.

Staff

Weissman Tours is the only student travel program with all tours personally escorted in the United States and Europe by both the owner/directors and leaders who are experienced, well trained, and committed to providing a safe and fun environment. All staff members are over 21, college graduates, nonsmokers, and certified in CPR and first aid. European staff members are proficient in French and/or Italian and have backgrounds in art history. They are required to live and work at the home/office of the Weissmans and to participate in extensive training sessions prior to the departure of the tours. Since many of the staff members are Weissman Teen Tour alumni, they understand the significance of the bond that is established between the teens and their leaders. The Weissmans believe that when teens travel so far from home, they should be with people with whom they can communicate, feel secure, and have fun.
Eugene Weissman has a master’s degree in mathematics and has completed postgraduate work in administration, group dynamics, and child guidance. He has extensive experience as a high school educator, College Bound coordinator and administrator, teacher/consultant for the College Board SAT, camp director, and youth director. Ronee Weissman graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, and holds a master’s degree in speech pathology. She has been elected to Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America, as well as other biographical publications, for her outstanding achievement as a teen tour director and New York State–licensed, ASHA-certified speech pathologist. Adam Weissman, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, is a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology, completing his fifth-year internship residency at NYU-Bellevue and pursuing a career in adolescent psychology. Adam spent two postgraduate years conducting research for the Treatment Research Institute at Penn. Ilana Weissman, a gifted artist, is the Writing/Visual Arts Coordinator for the Ella Baker School, a progressive alternative school in New York City. She has created and implemented a multimedia arts/writing program and produced a benefit concert in celebration of ten years of freedom from apartheid in South Africa, combining the emerging talents of her students with those of professional artists. Ilana graduated with her B.A. and M.S. from Sarah Lawrence College and studied in the Juilliard precollege program, where she played French horn and performed in concerts at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. With their diversified and well-rounded backgrounds, the Weissmans are able to provide leadership that combines knowledge, warmth, and genuine concern with all aspects of the development of a healthy, well-rounded teenager.

Medical Care

The Weissman family is committed to the health, safety, and security of all of its tour members. They have an extensive network of medical facilities and doctors in every city, both in the United States and abroad. In Europe, the list includes many American hospitals as well as U.S.-trained doctors. Parents are always contacted when a student receives medical treatment. All staff members are certified in CPR and first aid.

Costs

The U.S./Western Canadian 40 Day tour is $9399, the 30 Day tour is $7699, the Hawaiian three-week tour is $6799, the two-week Hawaiian tour is $4899, the European five-week tour is $10,999, and the four-week European tour is $9499. All first-class and deluxe accommodations, three healthy and nutritious meals daily, and extensive day and evening activities are included in the price. The lowest available scheduled APEX airfare is extra.

Application Timetable

Students are welcome to inquire at any time. Enrollment is on a rolling basis. The brochure and U.S./European DVD may be requested. Due to the limited number of openings each season, early registration is recommended. Ronee and Eugene Weissman are available to speak to all interested students and their families.