Educator Tours - East County Schools Federal Credit Union
Skip to main content

Online Banking

Open An Account  |  Apply For A Loan
Spotlight on French Riviera
San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and East County Schools FCU present...

Educator Tours July 2023
Italy or Croatia

Croatia and Its Islands 2024 webpage

Travel with East County Schools FCU!

Our trips have been custom designed to be an unforgettable travel experience for all East County school employees, as well as their family and friends. Find out what more than 700 Educator Tour travelers have come to enjoy on these exceptionally well-planned trips, and why travelers return year after year.

Learn about the Reflections of Italy from our tour professionals at our last Information Meeting for this trip. Only a few spots remain on this amazing trip - join us!

Information meeting content from a previous meeting is also available in a pre-recorded format by clicking here.

  • The last in person Information Meeting is February 8, 2023 , 6:00pm at East County Schools FCU in El Cajon - email ET@eastcountyschools.org to RSVP for the meeting or to reserve your trip spot.

2023 Educator Tour To Italy! July 19-28, 2023

Embark on a captivating journey that takes you from the piazzas of Rome to the canals of Venice. Discover the rolling hills of the scenic Tuscan and Umbrian countryside. Explore medieval hill towns and visit Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. Spend time at a historic winery in the heart of the Chianti region and enjoy a chef-led cooking class with lunch. Discover the masterpieces of the Renaissance in Florence. See glass transformed into exquisite art on Murano Island. Linger in iconic Venice for 2 nights. Take in the lively city of Milan. Encounter a land rich in history, culture, art and romance.

Early Booking Discount deadline is February 20, 2023 (save $150 per person)
     Early Booking Double $4,249 per person
     Early Booking Single $4,949 per person
Included in Price: Round Trip Air from San Diego Intl Airport,

View the complete Reflections of Italy 2023 brochure with daily itinerary and the registration form here or click the blue button at the top of this page.

Email ET@EastCountySchools.org which is Courtney Ellsworth, our 2023 Educators Tour reservation point of contact, with registration and payment questions. First come, first served. All deposits are fully refundable through February 20, 2023 without insurance.


Save $100! Open an East County Schools Federal Credit Union 2.00%APY* eChecking Account w/ direct deposit of $500.00 or more by April 1, 2023 and receive a $100 credit towards your final payment. East County Schools Federal Credit Union is the corporate sponsor of the Educators Tour program, and credit union membership is open to all San Diego County current and retired school employees and their family members

Travel Insurance: Educator Tours have low cost trip insurance available for purchase. In 2020 and 2021, every Educator Tour traveler received a 100% refund for their reservation fee, including the cost of the trip insurance, when the trips were canceled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Trip Insurance is comprehensive, with a full refund available for literally any reason, until the day before departure.

Who Can Travel With Us: All Educator Tours are open to the general public. East County Schools FCU has been the corporate sponsor of this trip since its inception and as such, the trip is largely comprised of members of the East County education community, working and retired, and their friends and families. There is so much FUN on these trips, and such a connection amongst travelers, that many travelers attend year after year. Most years, our trip has an optional side tour to an educational facility in that area, which contributes to making them a work expense for some. Educator Tours are booked through the East County Chamber of Commerce, who hosts additional trips throughout the year.

Trip Questions: Steve Devan, President & CEO, East County Schools FCU (619) 873-0108 sdevan@EastCountySchools.org 

Trip Registration Questions: Courtney Ellsworth, Educators Tour Travel Coordinator (619) 890-3474 ET@EastCountySchools.org

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. 2.00% APY paid on the first $2,500 on deposit. 1.25% APY paid on balances between $2,500 and $5,000. 0.10% APY paid on balances between $5,000 and $10,000. 0.05% APY paid on balances over $10,000. Dividends are calculated daily and compounded and paid monthly. Please refer to our Truth-in-Savings Disclosure for all applicable disclosure information. On any month you do not meet the requirements, you will not be paid a dividend but there is no fee incurred for not meeting the requirements.

2023 Educator Tour To Croatia! July 4 - 15, 2023

From medieval architecture to ethereal waterfalls, coast along the sparkling Adriatic Sea and experience the best of Croatia. Begin your journey in Zagreb, the illustrious capital of Croatia. Stand in awe before the cascading waterfalls of Krka National Park. Discover the ancient palace of Emperor Diocletian in Split. Enjoy a memorable 7-night cruise on the Adriatic Sea along Croatia’s coast aboard a privately chartered ship. On Brac Island, take in the “Golden Cape” of Bol. Visit the island of Biševo, home to the mystical Blue Cave. Tour the Old City of Dubrovnik and walk along the picturesque cobblestone streets. See the country’s immaculate beauty as you cruise its vibrant waters and step into its rich history.

The opportunity to book an entire 36-passenger yacht-cruiser for this amazing Croatia vacation (7 day cruise within a 12 day trip) is so special and unique, we are breaking the tradition of announcing the 2023 destination at the Last Supper on the 2022 Educator Tour, and announcing it early. This ship has 18 cabins double occupancy, 10 on the main deck and 8 below. Our plan is to fill this yacht with 100% Educator Tour passengers.

Due to the popularity of the yacht cruise worldwide, the Early Booking Discount deadline is August 15, 2022 for us to secure it, and also because of the 7-day yacht portion, we must have a minimum number of registrations in order for us to secure this Croatia Tour in its entirety. The MS San Spirito is state of the art, it was built in 2020, with a 4-1 guest-crew ratio, on-board Jacuzzi, air conditioned rooms with satellite TV, and en-suites and ample storage. The MS San Spirito is a once-in-a-lifetime way to explore the coast of Croatia for seven of the 12 days! As always, airfare, excellent hotels, transfers and many meals and fabulous activities are all included.

Early Booking Discount deadline was August 15, 2022 (save $550 per person)
Main Deck Cabins (qty 10) is $5,499 per person, double occupancy rate - first deposit - first served
Lower Outside Cabins (qty 8) is $4,999 per person, double occupancy rate - first deposit - first served

Maximum "Single" Room travelers is Four for this trip

Go to https://www.eastcountyschools.org/Croatia2023 for the complete brochure with daily itinerary.

Email ET@EastCountySchools.org which is Courtney Ellsworth, our 2023 Educators Tour reservation point of contact with registration and payment questions. First come, first served. This trip currently is fully booked and has a waiting list. All deposits are fully refundable through August 15, 2022 without insurance.
View all the photos and read all about our previous trips on Facebook, including our most recent French Riviera with Paris extension in July 2022 at https://www.facebook.com/eastcountyschools/groups and select the Educator Tour Group!

Switzerland Austria Bavaria 2019

See Photos From Our Trip Here!

Financial Education

Financial Foundations

 Could you use an easy explanation of the basics? These short, understandable lessons will help you to make better decisions related to managing your money. Titles include: Checking Accounts, Car Loans, Preventing Overdraft Fees, Credit Cards, Mobile and Online Banking and Why You Should Pay More than the Minimum Balance on your Credit Card.

Financial Foundations Articles

Building Financial Capacity

Adulting can feel overwhelming at times! Select from short but comprehensive modules on Creating a Budget, Credit Scores & Reports, Taxes: the Basics, Healthy Financial Habits, Debt Management, Identity Protection and How to Start Family Conversations about Money.

Building Financial Capacity Articles

Owning a Home

Home Ownership can feel overwhelming. Talk to us any time, but these articles will also educate you about the benefits and costs of all aspects of owning a home. Learn about Buying a Home, Mortgages, Mortgage Relief, Investment Property, Reverse Mortgages and Refinances.

Owning a Home Articles

Investing in Your Future

Are you prepared for college tuition, one of life's emergencies or a comfortable retirement? Explore important financial planning topics like 529 plans, Emergency Savings, Health Savings Accounts, Sustainable Investing, IRA's, Estate Planing, and the FIRE Lifestyle.

Investing in Your Future Modules

Preparing for Retirement Modules

Members LoveECSFCU!

  • Cathy Sprecco with Koala - Australia 2015

    I had a fantastic trip to Switzerland and Austria this past summer with East County Schools FCU and the SD East County Chamber of Commerce. This was my 6th trip with this fun group! The Educator Tour, guided by the infamous Steve Devan, is the perfect way to truly see and experience any country. The train ride through the Alps was a personal favorite and such an amazing experience. Seeing and hearing cows and goats with real bells grazing on the side of the mountains made me want to sing a favorite "Sound of Music" song and look for Heidi or her grandpa around every turn! I really felt immersed in the culture. The extra servings of warm apple strudel helped too!

     I am a single traveler and all worries are put aside on these well-coordinated trips. Almost everything is taken care of for the travelers so I always feel spoiled! The fellow Educator Tour travelers that I have met from other districts and other walks of life have become my life-long friends! These trips are so dear to me that I have a separate savings travel account where I dedicate a small monthly amount to be ready for the next country!

    Come join us!

    Cathy Sprecco - First Grade Teacher in Lakeside Union School District