Essential Europe Visit 7 Countries JESS Kalinowsky Friends Travel LLP

[ $2326 USD - Early Bird Discount ]
Round trip air from LAX to London on British Airways, 11 nights hotel, channel crossing, tours of major cities, fully escorted and some meals. Other cities available.
Price based on May 2011 departures, other dates available. Book by 31Jan’11. Ages 18 to 30 something tour. Additional $679 in taxes TRIP CODE: 66875

Essential Europe 2010

[ Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, France ]

EUROPE@FriendsTravel.com 24/7/365

Tour Highlights

• Visit 7 countries – Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland & France
• 12 day trip of Europe staying in traditional tourist class hotels

Begin your 12 day adventure in London and experience the essence of Europe!

• Overview
• Itinerary
• Trip Notes
• Checklist
• Departure Dates

Trip Code: HTWE
Validity: Apr 10 – Oct 10
Duration: 12 days
Group Size: Average 30 people
Transportation: Modern air-conditioned coach
Accommodation: Twin share in 2* & 3* star hotels
Price: from $1960
Note: Prices are per person and subject to change without notice.

Day 1 London to Amsterdam, Netherlands

Today our Topdeck experience begins! We leave London for avant-garde Amsterdam. Our city tour uncovers one of the world’s most liberal cities.

Day 2 Amsterdam to the Rhine Valley, Germany

Vineyards, castles and the mighty Rhine River are all ours to explore today.

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Day 3 Rhine Valley to Munich, Germany

Uncover the beer halls and roasted pork knuckles on our walking tour in the character town of Munich. A visit to the beer halls here is a must do!

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Day 4 Munich to Tyrol, Austria

Breathtaking scenery as we enter Austria travelling to the stunning Tyrol region. Here there are lots of options for adrenaline junkies!

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Day 5 Tyrol to Venice, Italy

More stunning scenery to enjoy as we travel to the extraordinary city of Venice – a maze of canals and incredible artworks. See the city on a vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal!

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Days 6 – 7 Venice to Rome

To the Eternal City. We have a walking tour and then there’s loads of free time to explore this gem of a city and the Vatican.

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Day 8 Rome to Florence

To the home of Renaissance art, gold and silver markets, great shopping and even better food.

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Day 9 Florence to Lucerne, Switzerland

The beautiful Alps are on view en route to gorgious Lucerne based on its own stunning lake. Our highlights tour includes the Lion Monument and of course, Chapel Bridge.

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Days 10 – 11 Lucerne to Paris, France

Chic shops, trendy cafes, stylish locals and amazing sights which we see on our city lights tour. Enjoy our Gourmet Paris picnic beside the Eiffel Tower and there’s also an optional River Seine cruise or cabaret show.

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Day 12 Paris to London, England

We leave Paris this morning and make our way back to London by early evening.

Visas

At the time of booking we will advise you of any visas or other documentation that will be required prior to your arrival.

Costs relating to the issue of visas or related documentation are the responsibility of the traveller.

As visa requirements change it is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation and visas are obtained before traveling. Failure to do so may result in your not being able to join the trip.

Disclaimer:Prices based on per person, twin/double share, unless otherwise noted, and pre-set group minimum numbers. Prices & itineraries are correct at the time of printing. Itineraries & prices may change due to currency fluctuations, local conditions or events outside the control of A.I and her local operators. Please see our booking terms & conditions for full details.

Equipment List / Check List:

• Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher
• Health requirements arranged
• Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
• Money pouch
• First Aid kit
• Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
• Alarm clock and torch/flashlight
• Mosquito repellent
• Refillable water bottle and plastic mug for train journeys
• Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper
• Walking shoes with a good grip
• Camera
• Wet Wipes (disinfectant hand tissues)

EUROPE@FriendsTravel.com

JESS Kalinowsky Professional Travel Consultant
JESS@FriendsTravel.com 24/7/365
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Bavaria — by Avanti Destinations and Friends Travel, LLP

June 28th, 2010 . by John Frenaye

Bavaria is Germany’s biggest state with an area of 27,000 square miles accounting for about a fifth of Germany’s total area.It’s in Germany’s south-eastern quarter and has a population of about 12.5 million people.

Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and is the third largest city in Germany.  Munich was the host city of the 1972 Summer Olympics and is a candidate city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. There’s much more to Bavaria, Germany than just the capital city.

The region begs to be explored and there are ten other cities most definitely worth a visit–each complete with an ornate castle, palace, or city hall, or sometimes all three!

Top 10 Cities In Bavaria

1. Nuremberg

German kings liked to build their palaces in Nuremberg, once the unofficial seat  of the Holy Roman Empire. Nuremberg’s Hauptplatz comes alive with Germany’s most  famous Christmas market in December. Locally made foods include Lebkuchen and the  Nürnberger Bratwurst. Explore the medieval Old Town (Altstadt), framed by city  walls and the glorious Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg). Then pay a visit to the  Reichsparteigelände, a massive open area where the infamous Nazi Nuremberg  Rallies of the 1930s were held.

2. Augsburg

Germany’s second-oldest city, Augsburg, lies roughly halfway down the Romantic  Road touring route. It came to prominence in the Middle-Ages under the lights of  Jakob “the Rich” Fugger, a worldwide baron in global banking and trading. Most of  Augsburg’s landmark buildings are the work of architect Ellias Holl. Chief among  them is the  monumental Town Hall (Rathaus) and its showpiece Golden Hall  (Goldener Saal). Another top attraction is the Fuggerei, the world’s oldest  social housing settlement.

3. Würzburg

Würzburg is a bustling university town on Bavaria’s northern border. Although  over 90 percent of the city was destroyed in World War II it has since been  lovingly restored. The city sits along the river Main and is the center of the  famous Franconia wine region. Würzburg’s premier residence is a baroque palace  aptly named the Residenz.

4. Regensburg

If you can picture an idyllic life in the Middle Ages, undoubtedly you would be in  Regensburg where the center of the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits  at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, the former straddled by the  humpbacked Stone Bridge. It’s one of the most-loved cities in Bavaria and an easy day-trip from Munich.Take a cruise along the river or explore the Old Town with its maze of intertwined alleys centered around the twin-spires of St. Peter’s Cathedral.

5. Ingolstadt

Another age-old Danube city, Ingolstadt has some history from the tragic to the mysterious and to the futuristic. It was the birthplace of author Mary  Shelly’s, who brought a creature to life with her character Victor Frankenstein. Secondly, it was the birthplace of the real secret society known as the Illuminati, meaning “Enlightened”, which some theorize work a shadowy hand on the world’s governments and big business. Finally, Ingostadt is the headquarters of the Audi, the luxury car company–a factory tour is well worth it if you don’t pick up a car to take home with you.

6. Fürth

Fürth is often overlooked by visitors in favor of its big brother city, Nuremburg, given that the two are only a stone’s throw apart. Fürth was a totally separate entity for much of its 1000+ year history and boasts a flavor all of its own. Don’t miss the grand municipal theater (Stadtheater) and the  Jewish Museum. Little known fact: Fürth once had the biggest Jewish population in southern Germany.

JESS Kalinowsky Professional Travel Consultant JESS@FriendsTravel.com AVANTI@FriendsTravel.com

7. Erlangen

Another city close to Nuremburg, Erlangen is best known for the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg–a college town with broad, tree-lined streets. Major sites to see include Erlangen Castle which today houses the university administration, and the botanical gardens.Erlangen’s annual Bergkirchweih is a 12-day mini-Oktoberfest that takes place around Pentecost in May or June. Erlangen is one of the more overlooked larger cities in Bavaria.

8. Bayreuth

Bayreuth is best known as the home of composer Richard Wagner, an artist worshiped by King Ludwig II and Hitler alike. The temple to Wagner’s works is the Bayreuth Festspielhaus and is the site of an annual showcase of the composer’s operas. Also worth a look is the expansive New Castle with an enviable collection of porcelain. But all in all, this is a top destination for classical music buffs.

9. Bamberg

One of the most stunning smaller cities in Bavaria, Bamberg is often called the “Franconian Rome” for its seven-hills. It also has a similarity to Italy’s Venice with a network of canals and streams complete with tourist laden gondolas. A stroll up through the old town, past the town hall island to the magnificent  cathedral and Neue Residenz will have even the most jaded travelers craning their necks in awe. And before leaving town, be sure to have a taste of their famous Rauchbier (a beer) which is a hearty ale with a bit of a bacon flavor–sounds gross, but it very good!

10. Aschaffenburg

They don’t call this town the “Bavarian Nice” for nothing. Replete with Mediterranean gardens, long alleys and a sunny climate perfect for tropical plants. Aschaffenburg is tucked away in the area’s northwestern corner and is a short trip to Frankfurt. As far as Bavaria goes, it is probably the most remote city of the region. Things to see here include the Schloss Johannisburg castle and the Pompejanum, a replica of a Pompeian palazzo built for King Ludwig I.

Bavaria — by Avanti Destinations and Friends Travel, LLP
JESS Kalinowsky
JESS@FriendsTravel.com
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