With less than a week until we leave, I'm sure many of you have started packing or at the very least, started thinking about what you are going to take. I've been watching the weather network and checking the long range forecast for the four cities we will be visiting. I think we will need to be prepared for rain showers, so don't forget your umbrella and rain proof jacket. Also plan to dress in layers because we won't be going back to our hotel during the day. An extra hoodie or long sleeved shirt can save the day if you get caught in an unexpected downpour, or rolled and stuffed in your backpack when you get too warm!
Have you packed a comfortable pair of shoes? We will be doing lots of walking on our tour and most of the streets will be cobblestone. flip flops are great when you are at the hotel, but aren't practical for our daily tours.
I hope everyone kept the packing list we gave you at our meetings in January. If you can't find it, just send us an email and we can send you another copy. Be sure to use the backpack as your carry on luggage. Anything you might want during the flight should be packed in your backpack. If you usually wear contacts, you will probably want to also have your glasses for the overnight flight. Liquids must fit into a small ziplock bag (no more than 3 ounces per bottle) if you are going to carry them in your backpack. This includes items such as liquid makeup, mascara, lip gloss, toothpaste lotions etc. if you are not sure about the size or item, it might be best to put them in your checked luggage and avoid having them confiscated at check-in. Any medication you need should be put in your carry on, in case your luggage is lost on the way.
And remember my words of advice......after your suitcase is packed, carry it up and down a few flights of stairs. Is it too heavy? Then it's time to reconsider what you have packed. Don't forget to leave room for the souvenirs you will be shopping for along the way.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Paris: City of Lights
When we leave Lucerne we will head to Zurich Switzerland where we will board the TGV train to Paris. TGV trains are high-speed bullet trains and the trip from Zurich to Paris will take approximately 5 hours. TGV trains travel at speeds up to 186 MPH.
Paris is the cosmopolitan capital of France, and one of the largest cities in Europe. There are 2.2 million people living in the dense central city and almost 12 million people living in the whole metropolitan area. Located on the River Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, full of history and very influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Paris is called the City of Light and Capital of Fashion and is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, and others.
The city of Paris is officially divided into 20 districts called arrondissements, numbered from 1 to 20 in a clockwise spiral from the centre of the city (which is known as Kilometre Zero and is located at the front of Notre Dame). Arrondissements are named according to their number. You might, for example, stay in the "5th", which would be written as 5e in French. Each arrondissement has its own unique character and selection of attractions for the traveler.
Paris is one of the world's great gastronomic capitals and no visit to the City of Light is complete without sampling some of the wonderful culinary pleasures offered in the city. Crepes are "street food" and available at many vendors. Make sure you choose from a vendor who is making the thin pancakes fresh as you watch. They are a perfect envelope for sweet fillings—chestnut, lemon, nutella and banana—or salty— cheese, mushrooms, or ham. The French cafes and bakeries always have a display of fresh baked good that make your mouth water. There are many options, including fresh tarts and croissants filled with chocolate. Macarons are sweet meringue type cookies often sandwiched together with a cream filling. They melt in your mouth and its hard to stop at just one!!
Some of the places we will visit and see in Paris include:
1. Arc de Triomphe
2. Eiffel Tower
3. Sacre Coeur Basilica
4, Notre Dame Cathedral
5. Les Invalides
6. The Louvre
7. Versailles
Check out this video of Paris:
Paris is the cosmopolitan capital of France, and one of the largest cities in Europe. There are 2.2 million people living in the dense central city and almost 12 million people living in the whole metropolitan area. Located on the River Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, full of history and very influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Paris is called the City of Light and Capital of Fashion and is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, and others.
The city of Paris is officially divided into 20 districts called arrondissements, numbered from 1 to 20 in a clockwise spiral from the centre of the city (which is known as Kilometre Zero and is located at the front of Notre Dame). Arrondissements are named according to their number. You might, for example, stay in the "5th", which would be written as 5e in French. Each arrondissement has its own unique character and selection of attractions for the traveler.
Paris is one of the world's great gastronomic capitals and no visit to the City of Light is complete without sampling some of the wonderful culinary pleasures offered in the city. Crepes are "street food" and available at many vendors. Make sure you choose from a vendor who is making the thin pancakes fresh as you watch. They are a perfect envelope for sweet fillings—chestnut, lemon, nutella and banana—or salty— cheese, mushrooms, or ham. The French cafes and bakeries always have a display of fresh baked good that make your mouth water. There are many options, including fresh tarts and croissants filled with chocolate. Macarons are sweet meringue type cookies often sandwiched together with a cream filling. They melt in your mouth and its hard to stop at just one!!
Some of the places we will visit and see in Paris include:
1. Arc de Triomphe
2. Eiffel Tower
3. Sacre Coeur Basilica
4, Notre Dame Cathedral
5. Les Invalides
6. The Louvre
7. Versailles
Check out this video of Paris:
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Lucerne: Gateway to Switzerland
Lucerne is a beautiful small city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Situated on Lake Lucerne and with the impressive mountainous panorama in sight, Lucerne is a favorite with tour groups.
Lucerne was the first city to join the Swiss Confederation, and today Lucerne has a thriving tourism industry, mainly due to its status as a gateway to Central Switzerland. The city became a center of Swiss history and legend, and is the setting for the most memorable part of the William Tell legend (the bit with the boy and the apple).
The currency used in Switzerland is called the Swiss Franc. Lucerne offers many opportunities for shopping for items such as watches, folkloric linens and embroidery, souvenirs and Swiss chocolate.
In Switzerland the food will be similar to what we are served in Germany. If you are adventurous you might want to try fondue for lunch or sample the variety of cheeses Switzerland is famous for. And, of course, chocolate!!! The most famous Swiss chocolate is Toblerone. Today most Swiss chocolate is consumed by the Swiss themselves, and Switzerland has the highest per capita rate of chocolate consumption world wide.
Lucerne is a city of town squares and churches. The old-town is tiny, and most other interesting sites are within a 20-minute walk. Some sights we will see on our tour of Lucerne are:
1. Chapel Bridge
2. Lake Lucerne (with Europe 2000 group from Eaton School)
3. The old city wall
4. The Lion Monument
For more information on Lucerne and to watch a short video go to:
Lucerne was the first city to join the Swiss Confederation, and today Lucerne has a thriving tourism industry, mainly due to its status as a gateway to Central Switzerland. The city became a center of Swiss history and legend, and is the setting for the most memorable part of the William Tell legend (the bit with the boy and the apple).
The currency used in Switzerland is called the Swiss Franc. Lucerne offers many opportunities for shopping for items such as watches, folkloric linens and embroidery, souvenirs and Swiss chocolate.
In Switzerland the food will be similar to what we are served in Germany. If you are adventurous you might want to try fondue for lunch or sample the variety of cheeses Switzerland is famous for. And, of course, chocolate!!! The most famous Swiss chocolate is Toblerone. Today most Swiss chocolate is consumed by the Swiss themselves, and Switzerland has the highest per capita rate of chocolate consumption world wide.
Lucerne is a city of town squares and churches. The old-town is tiny, and most other interesting sites are within a 20-minute walk. Some sights we will see on our tour of Lucerne are:
1. Chapel Bridge
2. Lake Lucerne (with Europe 2000 group from Eaton School)
3. The old city wall
4. The Lion Monument
For more information on Lucerne and to watch a short video go to:
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