SKI PROGRAMMES IN POLAND

Ski resort

While our Ski programme prioritizes cultural exchange and provides a secure environment for practicing English, participants will also have the opportunity to enjoy one day on the slopes. We will visit Male Ciche, a charming family resort near the venue, with 3.8 km of available ski slopes. The area has 4 lifts and ranges in elevation from 878 to 1,090 meters and an amazing panoramic view over the Tatra Mountains.

Ski pass & gears rental

As part of the Ski programme package, Angloville offers several benefits, including one-day free ski gear rental (skis, poles, and helmets), a ski pass, and shuttle transportation to and from the ski resort. If desired, participants may choose to rent a snowboard and additional equipment at their own expense. Note we don’t provide ski jackets and salopettes. Also, considering the distance from the venue, it may be difficult for you to go skiing during your daily free time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Insurance

For safety reasons, applicants with skiing experience are given priority, as the time allocated for skiing may not be sufficient for comprehensive training. It’s important to note that skiing and winter sports activities carry inherent risks. Angloville cannot be held responsible for any injuries sustained during these activities or throughout the programme. We strongly recommend obtaining specific international medical insurance that includes coverage for mountain sports

We invite you to join our free walking tour in your departure city, which includes places like Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk, and many more. These tours are scheduled one day before the programme and take place every Saturday. During the winter, the tours start at 14:00, while in the summertime, they begin at 17:00.

Participating in these guided walking tours will allow you to explore the city’s beautiful local sights, learn about its history, and have the opportunity to enjoy a coffee or lunch (not included) with fellow international participants afterward.

Please note that for the walking tours to take place, we require a minimum of five participants. The specific meeting points and times will be confirmed a few days before the programme commences.

Meeting point in the departure city

Our summer programmes take place all across Poland, the main departure cities are Warsaw, Poznan, Wroclaw or Krakow, and our meeting time on the first day of the programme, which is Sunday, will be early in the morning, likely before 10:00 AM. To facilitate a smooth start, our Angloville bus will pick the group of International Participants up from a conveniently accessible meeting point, which will be confirmed two weeks before the departure date.

To ensure you are well-rested and punctual for the meeting, Angloville strongly advises arriving in the departure city at least one day prior to the scheduled departure.

Return to the departure city 

On the last day of the programme, on Saturday, the Angloville group will travel back to the departure city via bus after having lunch. The specific arrival time can vary due to factors such as the distance between the venue and the city, weather conditions, traffic, and group dynamics. Generally, the bus tends to arrive at the departure city before 18:00.

If you need to travel to a different city for another Angloville programme, we advise against booking your intercity ticket before the aforementioned arrival time.

Accommodation & rooming 

Our Summer programs are held in a variety of Polish locations, ranging from traditional cottages and mansions to mountain chalets or modern and stylish venues. All of these venues are situated in picturesque countryside settings, often perched atop mountains or nestled within the serene beauty of the forest.

Available amenities are described under Angloville’s venues.

During these programmes, it is possible to accommodate up to four international participants of the same gender in one room. Each room is equipped with an ensuite private bathroom for the convenience of the occupants. The Coordination Team on the program handles the rooming arrangements, making an effort to maintain a balance among various factors (gender, age, affinity). However, accommodating individual preferences can be challenging and denied.

Check-in & check-out

Angloville follows standard practices in the tourism industry by providing the check-in and check-out dates when stating the programme dates and participants’ stay. This format effectively communicates the beginning and end dates of the guests’ hotel accommodation. This commonly used format ensures clarity regarding the number of nights covered by Angloville at the hotel. For instance:

•  21 – 27 June (Wityng, dep. from Wroclaw) – Junior edition
• Check-in: 21.06.2023
• Check-out: 27.06.2023
• 6 nights, 7 days

Wifi

Complimentary Wi-Fi service is available at all our venues. However, please note that the Wi-Fi bandwidth may be limited and intended primarily for communication purposes such as emails, SMS, and basic website browsing. If you require a reliable and high-speed internet connection, we suggest reaching out to your phone provider to inquire about data roaming options or consider purchasing a local SIM card with an appropriate internet plan. This will ensure a more dependable and robust internet experience during your stay.

Dietary options available 

Angloville provides three dietary options for our programmes oin Poland:

• Unrestricted
• Vegetarian
• Vegan (*)

The meal arrangements include a buffet breakfast, two or three set courses for lunch, and one or two set courses for dinner. The culinary offerings usually showcase the local cuisine of the country or region, which might differ from what you are used to at home. For example, in Poland, people often enjoy a more substantial amount of meat and potatoes in their meals.

It’s important to note that our current setup involves serving a group menu rather than offering à la carte options. Therefore, the dietary option chosen will be applicable for all meals throughout the week, and it will not be possible to make changes as all dishes are planned in advance.

Allergies

We take food allergies very seriously and will strictly adhere to any allergy requirements provided.

Other dietaries

Accommodating specific dietary restrictions such as halal, kosher, gluten-free, or lactose-free can be challenging due to the local culture and gastronomy. We understand the importance of these dietary needs, and we apologize for any difficulties encountered in providing suitable options.

(*) Please check available dietary options are described under Angloville’s venues.

Local participants 

In our Winter programme, we have approximately 40 local participants between the ages of 12 and 18. These enthusiastic young individuals are primarily students attending both primary and secondary schools. While many of them have not had previous opportunities to converse with native or fluent English speakers, they are eager to enhance their confidence and fluency in the language. Some of them even have aspirations to pursue higher education in the UK, the USA, etc.

International participants 

In our Winter Programme, we have approximately 20 international participants who are native or fluent in English. These individuals are a diverse group, consisting of university students, recent graduates, and other enthusiastic individuals aged 18-35. They have a strong passion towards exploring new destinations, immersing themselves in different cultures, and engaging with fellow travelers to make their journeys meaningful.

Requirements

To be eligible for participation in Angloville Winter Programme, you must meet the following criteria:

• Age requirement: you should be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Educational qualification: Completion of high school.
• Personal qualities: Possess appropriate personal qualities such as maturity, flexibility, etc. Ability to handle challenges and cope with challenges, along with good communication skills and cultural sensitivity.
• Diverse hobbies and interests: Have a range of hobbies and interests.
• Good physical health & mental health: Maintain good physical health and have no diagnosed mental conditions.
• Clean police record: You must have a clean police record, and you will be required to provide documentation of this record, which should be dated within the past six months.
• Story to share and nterest in cultural exchange: Be prepared to provide information about yourself through an application form, including your story. Show a true interest in meeting new people and learning about different cultures.
• Required documentation: Possess or be in a position to obtain all necessary documentation (passport, DBS/police clearance, letter of reference, insurance) and visas required for travel to program destinations. Angloville does not provide visa support.
• Sufficient funds: Have enough funds to cover travel, accommodation, and board expenses before, between, and after the programme.
• Consumption of alcohol or illicit substances are not permitted during the programme.

Admission fee & Deposit 

Angloville provides sponsored travel opportunities that include: free accommodation & full board (shared rooms, three meals per day), transportation to and from the city, engaging educational and recreational activities, city tours, a ski pass with gear rental, AngloTEFL online course & certificate (optional) invaluable hands-on teaching experience, and more.

To secure a spot in our programs, a refundable security deposit of 99 EUR is required, along with a 30 EUR fee to cover PayPal, bank, and administrative charges, as well as local Eco & Tourism taxes.

To finalize your booking, we will need the following documents within 14 days: a scanned copy of your passport, a police clearance certificate, and a copy of your travel confirmation to the departure city (including plane, bus or train tickets).

Upon successfully completing the Angloville programme, you can request a refund of your security deposit within 21 days.

For additional information, please consult our terms and conditions.

• Deposit fee, including transaction and foreign exchange fees pertaining to online payments, bank charges, or wire transfers, as well as local tourism and eco taxes.
• Visa application fee (if applicable)
• Outgoing and return flight or train or bus transport
• Single room or special accommodation arrangements
• Any specific dietary other than unrestricted, vegetarian and vegan (*)
• Any ski clothing. such as ski jacket, pants or salopettes, bas or mid-layers, ski gloves or mittens, etc.
• Any intercity or intercountry travel between programmes
• Any accommodation before, between and/or after programmes
• Travel and health insurance
• Any necessary vaccinations
• Pocket money during activities
• Any optional excursions, activity or paying facilities or services at the venue.

(*) Please check available dietary options are described under Angloville’s venues.

Angloville recommends that International Participants arrive 1 or 2 days before the programme begins. This allows you to have some rest before meeting the Angloville group at the meeting point on Sunday, which will be early in the morning. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city and join our free walking tour on Saturday.

Please note that these additional expenses, such as airport shuttles, hotel rooms before, in-between, or after the programme, etc, are not covered by Angloville.

To arrive at the first start city, we recommend: www.skyscanner.com to look for some good flight deals. Budget airlines within Europe (Wizz air and Ryanair) do have some great deals for the upcoming months, with fares starting from 30 GBP!

The departure to the venue takes place on the first day of the programme, early in the morning, at a central easy-to-access meeting point. The Angloville bus takes the group of International and Local Participants from the starting city to the Angloville venue and back each time. Note the venue can be 1-4 hours away from the departure city.

We have to exercise utmost caution when predicting the return time of the Angloville bus to the departure city. Unforeseen circumstances, such as delays due to traffic, group issues, or other factors, can occur during the journey. Generally, we aim to have the bus back in the city centre by 18:00, but it’s important to be aware that the drop-off point for intercity or international connections may not be conveniently located near the Central train station, bus station, or airport.

Based on our past experiences, catching a train, bus, or carpool for an intercity connection on the same day has posed no issues. If you visit several cities in the host country, please check your itinerary is realistic. For moving between programmes and start cities, there are budget buses within Europe (www.flixbus.com), trip & itinerary scheduler (https://www.rome2rio.com/) and trains (https://www.thetrainline.com/,  https://www.intercity.pl/en/. 

However, we recommend practising prudence when scheduling a flight, as it may be more unpredictable (distance to the airport, check-in procedures, security checks, etc.): as a general recommendation, we advise our international participants to consider booking their flights no earlier than 23:00, if feasible, or to opt for a departure on the following day. This will allow them to have sufficient time and rest before their flight.

Please keep in mind that the given time is a forecast, and we cannot guarantee it. Our staff will do their best to arrive on time, or even earlier if possible.

We recommend you to arrive a day before the programme starts, which means you will have to book the accommodation yourself.

The city-centre of the departure is always a good option. Angloville only provides the accommodation for the duration of the programme. If you decide to complete a three-week package with Angloville, booking the accommodation between the programmes will also be your responsibility.

We suggest Couchsurfing (for a free accommodation), HostelWorld and Booking.com (for a bed in a dorm or a cheap hotel deal), or AirBnB (for a private room or a flat to share).

When packing a trip to Poland, you should first consider the time of year you are visiting.

Winter programmes When packing for winter in Poland, prioritize warm clothing such as thermal layers, a heavy coat, and thick socks. Don’t forget essential accessories like hats, scarves, and gloves for protection against the cold. Additionally, bring waterproof outer layers, warm accessories like hand warmers, and don’t forget to pack moisturizers, sunglasses, and any necessary medications.

Ski programmes If you decide to participate in a ski program, make sure to bring along essential specialized skiing gear and waterproof clothing, such as a ski suit, gloves, and a warm hat. Please note that Angloville does not provide ski clothing, so it’s essential to have these items ready for your trip.

Also, if you plan to explore Poland independently, consider downloading a travel app to help you get around and find things to do. Though many people in Poland speak English, it’s always nice to learn a few basic phrases in the local language to help with communication.

Don’t forget to pack all the essentials like your passport, travel insurance, and any other necessary travel documents. Also, it’s a good idea to have some cash and credit cards for shopping, snacks, and other extra activities. If you’re coming from a country with a different type of electrical outlet, you’ll need to bring an adapter plug to charge your devices.