LFMSS Europe 2013 Itinerary

LFMSS Europe Tour 2013

1 “ The Grand Tour”

WEATHER

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 deparT VancouVer

10:00 AM Coach to YVR3:15 PM LH 493 to Frankurt



Wednesday, March 13 Brussels and Bruges, BelgiuM

9:25 AM Arrival in Frankfurt12:50 PM LH 1012 to Brussels1:50 PM Arrival in Brussels3:00 PM Pickup by coach at airport4:00 PM Grand Place Brussels6:00 PM Transfer to Bruges7:30 PM Arrival in Bruges

WEATHER

BRussEls

BRugEsIf there’s anyplace I’d like to spend my !rst night in Europe, this has got to be it. Bruges is a beautifully preserved medieval city that “died” and was reborn as a key destination for European romantics in the late 19th century.

Welcome to Europe! Brussels is a real European city - as one of the seats of European Union power, it hosts long term residents from all over Europe. And the diplomats like to dress up the Manekin Pis in their traditional country garb - who knows what he’ll be wearing (if anything) when we stop by to admire his healthy "ow. It’s also ground zero for Belgium’s most famous export - chocolate.

Europa HostelBaron Ruzettelaan 1438310 Brugge/Assabroek - BelgiumTel. +32-50-352679Fax. [email protected]



Thursday, March 14 Bruges

9:00 AM Walk into Bruges10:00 AM Bell Tower11:00 AM Church of the Holy Blood12:00 PM Lunch1:30 PM Canal Ride3:00 PM Church of Our Lady3:30 PM Shopping / small group time6:00 PM Dinner in small groups7:30 PM Walk to Hostel Europa

WEATHER

Europa HostelBaron Ruzettelaan 1438310 Brugge/Assabroek - BelgiumTel. +32-50-352679Fax. [email protected]

BRugEsBruges has remained unchanged in many ways since it’s medieval glory days. “Discovered” by a new class of Europeans in the 19th century - tourists - this former headquarters of the Hanseatic League has more bicycles than cars, and good thing, as Belgium is known for its great fries, chocolate, wa#es (and beer).



8:00 AM Travel to Vimy (119km)10:00 AM Tour Vimy Ridge11:00 AM Travel to Paris (197km)12:00 PM Lunch on the bus1:40 PM Chateau de Versailles (44 free, 8*13)5:30 PM Place de la Concorde6:30 PM Dinner at Monte Carlo7:30 PM Transfer to Hotel

Friday, March 15 ViMy and paris

WEATHER

Vimy RidgEIn Northern France, the Battle of Vimy Ridge created the !rst true sense of Canadian unity. Forces from each of the provinces joined together and did what other Allied forces during the First World War had failed to do, storming the ridge and conquering a long-held German stronghold.

PARis

Welcome to Paris! Today we visit the Chateau de Versailles - King Louis XIV’s opulent palace that set the standard for housing in Europe. We will also visit the Place de la Concorde, where thousands of people lost their heads in the a$ermath of the French Revolution. It is now guaranteed to be guillotine free.

Etap HotelAllée des GuionnesZA La Cerisaie93240 STAINSFRANCETel : (+33)892683269Fax : (+33)148217474



saTurday, March 16 paris, France

WEATHER 7:30 AM Transfer to Notre Dame8:30 AM Tour of Notre Dame11:15 AM Guided tour of Louvre12:45 PM Transfer to Latin Quarter1:15 PM Lunch in groups in Latin Quarter3:00 PM Transfer to Champs-Élysées 6:00 PM Dinner at Monte Carlo7:30 PM Up the Eiffel Tower9:00 PM Transfer to Hotel

PARisWith so much to do and see in Paris, today could be nothing but busy. With Rens as our own personal chau%eur, we can !t in twice as much as a Metro tourist, and so we will! Starting with the old stones of Notre Dame, we will get a feel for medieval Paris. &en it’s o% the THE art museum of the western world - Le Louvre, for an expert guided tour of a few of its tens of thousands of works of art. A$er lunch it’s time to cut you loose in your groups for awhile on some street, followed by a trip up some tower. What a day.

Etap HotelAllée des GuionnesZA La Cerisaie93240 STAINSFRANCETel : (+33)892683269Fax : (+33)148217474



sunday, March 17 Verdun and Bacharach

VERdun&e name Verdun was synonymous with death, destruction, devastation to a previous generation. &e longest continuous battle in the history of modern warfare saw the end of many young men’s lives and an entire region that once included 9 happy rural villages.

WEATHER 7:00 AM Travel to Verdun (271 km)10:30 AM Early lunch stop11:00 AM Tour of Verdun1:00 PM Travel to Bacharach (275 km)6:00 PM Tour Bacharach7:00 PM Transfer to Hostel Burg Stahlek7:30 PM Dinner in Hostel

BAcHARAcHBacharach, former capital of the Holy Roman Empire is one of many quaint little towns along the Rhine River complete with their own castle on the hill. In this town, though, the castle isn’t a ruin and we get to sleep in it!

Burg Stahlek55422 Bacharach, Germanyphone: +49 6743 1266fax: +49 6743 2684



Monday, March 18 roThenBurg oB der TauBer

WEATHER 8:30 AM Depart for Rothenburg (lunch on bus)11:30 AM Arrive Rothenburg - early check in12:30 PM Tour of Rothenburg1:00 PM Church2:00 PM Kriminal Museum3:00 PM Scavenger Hunt in groups7:30 PM Dinner in Hotel

RoTHEnBuRg oB dER TAuBER

&ere are actually quite a few “Rothenburgs” in Germany - but only one that is “on the Tauber” (river). Here you will compete in a scavenger hunt for the greatest German delicacy of all schneeballe. Mmmm.... Actually, I’ll reward the winning team with extra Gelato scoops in Italy. Scavenger hunt on the next page. &ose who attempt to bribe me for answers can expect harsh punishment at the Kriminal Museum.

Akzent HotelSchrannenplatz 691541 Rothenburg ob der TauberPhone: 0 98 61 - 95 50-0Fax: 0 98 61 - 95 [email protected]



7:30 AM Depart for Neuschwanstein10:25 AM Pickup tickets for Neuschwanstein11:25 AM Guided Tour of Neuschwanstein1:15 PM Transfer to Bolzano1:45 PM Lunch on the bus4:45 PM South Tyrol Museum of Archeology7:00 PM Arrive at Bolzano Hostel8:00 PM Dinner at Batzenhäusl

Tuesday, March 19 Fussen and Bolzano

WEATHER

FussEnEver wondered where Walt Disney got the idea for his fairy tale castle at Disneyland? From the mad King Ludwig of Bavaria of course! We have a special insiders tour of his Neuschwanstein Castle today.

BolzAno&e Alps are more beautiful here than anywhere else in Europe. &is German speaking region of Italy is famous for great food as well as great views, and we will feast on South Tyrolean specialties tonight!

Bolzano Youth HostelJugendherberge Bozen, Via Renon, 39100 Bolzano, South Tyrol, ItalyPhone:+39 0471 300865



Wednesday, March 20 Verona and Venice

8:00 AM Gondola to Oberbozen11:00 AM Transfer to Venice (268 km)12:30 PM Lunch stop3:00 PM Arrival in Venice4:00 PM The Frari Church5:30 PM Check into Hostel8:00 PM Dinner in group at Birerria La Corte

WEATHER

VEnicE&is most serene republic was a nation unto itself for nearly 1000 years. From humble beginnings as collection of !shermen’s huts on some swampy islands, Venice went on to become the most unique, and many would say most beautiful city in the world.

Foresteria Valdese di Venezia Castello 5170 Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, Venice 30123, Italytel. 041-5286797 fax 041-2416238



��$0� :DON�WR�WKH�'RJH·V�3DODFH��$0� 7RXU�RI�WKH�'RJH·V�3DODFH��$0� 7RXU�RI�6DLQW�0DUF·V�%DVLOLFD11:45 AM Walking tour - hidden Venice1:00 PM Split into groups Lunch/Gondolas/Shopping/Dinner7:30 PM Walk to Foresteria Valdese

Thursday, March 21 Venice

WEATHER

VEnicEI love Venice. It’s a cliché, but it’s true - Venice is another world. It’s the only place I tell tour groups to “get lost”. With all the “Per Marco” and “Per Rialto” signs, you’ll always eventually !nd your way back somewhere, unless you take a wrong turn and end up in a canal. Enjoy a romantic gondola ride (not too romantic) with your group, some gelato, and some Venetian cuisine.

Foresteria Valdese di Venezia Castello 5170 Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, Venice 30123, Italytel. 041-5286797 fax 041-2416238



8:30 AM Depart for Piazale Roma10:00 AM Transfer to Padova12:15 AM Scrovegni Chapel 20 pax12:30 AM Scrovegni Chapel 20 pax12:45 PM Scrovegni Chapel 14 pax1:30 PM Lunch at Brek2:30 PM Transfer to Florence (273 km)6:30 PM Arrival in Florence

Friday, March 22 Florence

WEATHER

PAdoVA&is city was part of the former Venetian Republic. It’s claims to fame include the overwhelmingly beautiful Srovegni chapel, painted by pre-Renaissance artist Giotto, and the Basilica of Sant’Antonio di Padova.

Hotel Panorama Firenze Via Cavour, 60 50129 FirenzeT: 39 055 2382043F: 39 055 264404



8:30 AM Walk to Accademia9:00 AM Visit Accademia11:00 AM Visit Duomo1:00 PM Groups - lunch/shopping/dinner

saTurday, March 23 Florence

WEATHER

FloREncE&e birthplace of the Renaissance, and therefore the modern world, Florence was the one time capital of a !nancial empire controlled by the original Italian “family”, the Medicis

Hotel Panorama Firenze Via Cavour, 60 50129 FirenzeT: 39 055 2382043F: 39 055 264404



sunday, March 24 pisa & leVanTo

WEATHER 9:30 AM Depart for Pisa11:30 AM Up the Leaning Tower of Pisa in 6 groups12:30 PM Lunch in Pisa1:30 PM Depart for Lucca2:30 PM Tour of Lucca4:30 PM Depart for Levanto6:30 PM Arrival in Levanto at Hotel Europa8:00 PM Dinner at Moresco

PisAClimb the tower before it falls!

Ospitalia del MareVia S. Nicolò19015 Levanto (SP)tel. (+39) 0187 802562Fax: 39-187-803696



9:00 AM Hike the Cinque Terre1:00 PM Lunch packets on trail8:00 PM Dinner at Moresco

Monday, March 25 cinQue Terre

WEATHER

cinQuE TERRE

Ospitalia del MareVia S. Nicolò19015 Levanto (SP)tel. (+39) 0187 802562Fax: 39-187-803696

Rain or shine, the paths linking these !ve (cinque) lands (terre) along the Mediterranean coast o%er a di%erent perspective on hiking. Italian biology students o$en visit this region to study the unique plant life. And for us, passing through olive groves and lemon orchards, we know we’re not in BC anymore. &e Cinque Terre is in Liguria, the birthplace of pesto. Mmmm... pesto. &e !ve towns that make up the stopping points along the route are all ancient Roman !shing villages, and many of the residents can trace their ancestry in the region back centuries. Devastating "oods in October 2011 brought life in Vernazza and Monterosso to a standstill - months of hard work digging out and rebuilding will



7:30 AM Depart for Ventimiglia10:30 AM Ventimiglia - break for lunch11:30 AM Depart for Arles3:00 PM Roman Arena Arles4:30 AM Arles site6:30 PM Dinner in Arles7:30 PM Arrive at Etap

Tuesday, March 26 arles

WEATHER

ARlEsWe’re back in France for a visit to one of the cities of the ancient Roman Empire, complete with intact Roman arena!

Hotel Craurue de Charlie Chaplin13200 ARLESTél : 33 (0) 4 90 18 97 10Fax : 33 (0) 4 90 18 58 30



8:30 AM Depart for Lastours11:30 AM Arrival in Lastours - Castle ruins1:30 PM Transfer to Carcassonne2:00 PM Check into Hostel3:00 PM Castle and Ramparts6:00 PM Dinner at Hostel

Wednesday, March 27 carcassonne

WEATHER

cARcAssonnE

Carcassonne YHARue Vicomte de TrencavelCité Médiévale11000 CarcassonneFranceTel. +33 (0)4.68.25.23.16Fax. +33 (0)4.68.71.14.84

A true Medieval fortress, Carcassonne is a walled city like no other. We will explore the ramparts and castle forti!cations, spending the night inside the “Cité Médiévale”.



8:30 AM Depart for Barcelona12:30 PM Arrive in Barcelona (lunch packets on bus)1:00 PM Walking tour featuring Gaudi4:30 PM Guided tour of Casa Mila6:00 PM Check into Centric Hostel8:00 PM Dinner at La Iiosa

Thursday, March 28 Barcelona

WEATHER

BARcElonAToday we will aquaint ourselves with a little bit of Spain! Barcelon is the capital of Catalonia, and a destination for many travelers. We will tour Casa Milà, popularly known as ‘La Pedrera’, constructed between 1906 and 1912 by the architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926).

Hostel Centric Barcelona Carrer de Casanova, 13 08011 Barcelona, Spain+34 934 26 75 73



9:00 AM Walking tour of Gothic Quarter10:30 AM Barcelona Cathedral 11:00 AM Lunch1:00 PM Sagrada Familia2:30 PM Explore the Ramblas6:00 PM Hostel - get ready for dinner7:30 PM Dinner at Divinus Rossello

Friday, March 29 Barcelona

WEATHER

BARcElonA&e highlight of today will be our visit to Sagrada Familia. &is un!nished cathedral is part construction zone, part holy shrine, and part tourist destination.

Hostel Centric Barcelona Carrer de Casanova, 13 08011 Barcelona, Spain+34 934 26 75 73



Your Bedroom, Your HouseLangley, BC, Canada

6:00 AM Fly to Frankfurt (LH 1139)8:25 AM Arrive Frankfurt10:50 AM Fly to Vancouver (LH 492)1:20 PM Arrive YVR

saTurday, March 30 go hoMe!

WEATHER

jouRnAl: sATuRdAy, mARcH 30, 2013

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Documents

LFMSS Europe 2013 Itinerary