LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016 - DEPART VANCOUVER

WEATHER

1 The Grand Tour

9:00 AM
1:25 PM

Optional Coach to YVR

LH 493 To Frankfurt

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

THURSDAY, MARCH 10 - FSSEN

WEATHER

8:15 AM
10:00 AM
11:30 AM
2:30 PM
6:30 PM
7:15 PM

Arrive in Frankfurt
Transfer to Heidelberg
Heidelberg Castle guided tour
Transfer to Fussen
Arrival at Fussen Hostel
Dinner at hostel
DJH Jugendherberge Fssen
Mariahilfer Str. 5, 87629 Fssen,
Germany
+49 8362 7754

HEIDELBERG

Were in Europe. Lets go visit a castle! Heidelbergs mix of medieval and reniassance/
ruins and restorations, along with a giant barrel and a sneaky dwarf make it a great first stop
for our Grand Tour of Europe. Well end the day on the edge of the Alps in the German
town of Fssen, home to even more castles!

2 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

FRIDAY, MARCH 11 - BOLZANO

WEATHER

8:30 AM
10:50 AM
12:30 PM
4:30 PM
6:00 PM
7:30 PM

Neuschwanstein castle walk

Neuschwanstein castle tour
Transfer to Bolzano
Tour of South Tyrolean Archeology Museum
Transfer to Bolzano Hostel
Dinner at Hopfen Boznerbier
Jugendherberge Bozen
Rittner Stra., 23, 39100 Bolzano
BZ, Italy
+ 39 0471 300865

NEUSCHWANSTEIN

Possibly the most famous castle in the world, Neuschwanstein was built as a fantasy
residence for King Ludwig II, who was thought by his contemporaries to be out of touch
with reallity (non-PC term would be crazy). Why did he only sleep here for 11 nights? Did
his psychiatrist know how to swim? These and many more questions will be answered
during our exclusive tour of the inside of the castle.

BOLZANO

The capital of the Italian Alps region,

Bolzano is famous for its food, its
mountains, and its iceman, Otzi.
3 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

SATURDAY, MARCH 12 - VERONA

WEATHER

8:00 AM
8:30 AM
11:00 AM
1:15 PM
2:15 PM
3:15 PM
4:00 PM
5:30 PM
7:00 PM

Transfer to Oberbozen Lift

Lift to Oberbozen (weather/time dependent)
Transfer from lift to Verona
Lunch in groups in Verona
Castelvecchio Museum tour
Juliets Balcony
Walking tour of Verona / small group time
Transfer to Villa Francescatti
Dinner at Villa Francescatti
Villa Francescatti
Salita Fontana del Ferro, 15,
37100 Verona VR, Italy
T: 39 045 590360

VERONA
A city for 2000 years, Verona has a lot of history. Romeo and Juliet lived here (or did they?).
Also, Romans held bloody battles to the death in an arena that is now used for operas.
And the Scaligeri family lived the thug-life as they ruled the city for generations during the
Middle Ages. Find out why their tower was the biggest on the Piazza Signori.

4 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

SUNDAY, MARCH 13 - PISA AND LEVANTO

WEATHER

9:00 AM
11:30 AM
1:30 PM
2:30 PM
4:30 PM
8:00 PM

Transfer to Pisa
Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa in 5 groups
Lunch in Pisa
Transfer to Levanto
Check into hostel
Dinner at Moresco (I hope youre hungry)

Ospitalia del Mare

Via S. Nicol
19015 Levanto (SP)
tel. (+39) 0187 802562
Fax: 39-187-803696

PISA
Climb the tower before it falls! Hopefully.

5 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

MONDAY, MARCH 14 - CINQUE TERRE

WEATHER

9:00 AM
1:00 PM
8:00 PM

Hike the Cinque Terre

Picnic overlooking the Mediterannean
Dinner at Moresco (now you actually deserve it)

Ospitalia del Mare

Via S. Nicol
19015 Levanto (SP)
tel. (+39) 0187 802562
Fax: 39-187-803696

CINQUE TERRE

Rain or shine, the paths linking these five (cinque) lands (terre) along the Mediterranean coast
offer a different perspective on hiking. Italian biology students often visit this region to study
the unique plant life. And for us, passing through olive groves and lemon orchards, we know
were not in BC anymore. The Cinque Terre is in Liguria, the birthplace of pesto. Mmmm...
pesto. The five towns that make up the stopping points along the route are all ancient
Roman fishing villages, and many of the residents can trace their ancestry in the region back
centuries. Devastating floods in October 2011 brought life in Vernazza and Monterosso to a
standstill - months of hard work digging out and rebuilding have made them accessible to
visitors again.

6 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

TUESDAY, MARCH 15 - SIENA/FLORENCE

WEATHER

8:30 AM
11:45 AM
1:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:30 PM
8:00 PM

Transfer to Siena
Walking tour of Siena
Lunch in groups in Siena
Transfer to Florence
Check into Hotel Panorama
Dinner at Tratoria Anita
Hotel Panorama Firenze
Via Cavour, 60
50129 Firenze
T: 39 055 2382043
F: 39 055 264404E

SIENA
Rival city to Florence in the heyday of Italian city states, Siena failed to thrive the way its
wealthier neighbours did during the Renaissance - which is our gain, as it remains a perfect
example of Gothic (a.k.a. medieval) Italy. We will see the sights around Il Campo, Sienas great
central piazza, and perhaps get a glimpse at a very special relic of Catherine of Siena. We wont
get to see the famous district vs. district horse race, the Palio, so heres a picture.

7 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 - FLORENCE

WEATHER

9:00 AM
9:15 AM
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:45 PM
8:00 PM

Accademia reservations group 1

Accademia reservations group 2
Renaissance Walk through Florence
Palazzo Pitti
Small group time - lunch/mercato/dinner
Meet at hotel for opera
Walk to opera house
An Italian in Algiers Opera
Hotel Panorama Firenze
Via Cavour, 60
50129 Firenze
T: 39 055 2382043
F: 39 055 264404

FLORENCE
The birthplace of the Renaissance, and therefore the modern world, Florence was the one
time capital of a financial empire controlled by the original Italian family, the Medicis.

8 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

THURSDAY, MARCH 17 - VENICE

WEATHER

9:00 AM
12:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:30 PM
7:30 PM

Transfer to Venice
Lunch on the road
Walk into Venice
Santa Maria della Salute walk/gondolas
Dinner at La Corte

Foresteria Valdese di Venezia

Castello 5170
Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa,
Venice 30123, Italy
tel. 041-5286797
fax 041-2416238

VENICE

La Serenissima, the most Serene Republic, Venice. An independent nation for a thousand
years, Venice retains its medieval and Renaissance charm with a layer of elegant decay.

9 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

FRIDAY, MARCH 18 - VENICE

WEATHER

9:00 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
1:30 PM

Visit Doges Palace

Visit St. Marcs Basilica
Walking tour of Venice
Lunch / getting lost / dinner

Foresteria Valdese di Venezia

Castello 5170
Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa,
Venice 30123, Italy
tel. 041-5286797
fax 041-2416238

VENICE

I love Venice. Its a clich, but its true - Venice is another world. Its the only place I tell tour
groups to get lost. With all the Per Marco and Per Rialto signs, youll always eventually
find 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.

10 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

SATURDAY, MARCH 19 - BLED

WEATHER

8:00 AM
8:30 AM
9:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:30 PM

Breakfast
Walk to Piazzale Roma
Transfer to Sgonico
Grotta Gigante
Picnic Lunch at Grotta Gigante
Transfer to Bled
Guided Tour of Bled/Pletna rides on the lake
Check-in to hotel
Dinner at hotel
Hotel Park
Cankarjeva cesta 15,
4260 Bled, Slovenia
+386 4 579 18 00

BLED

Bled was the favourite vacation spot of many a Yugoslavian back when Titos League of
Communists ruled much of the Balkan Peninsula. Since the war of independence in 1991,
Slovenia has developed closer ties to the Western European community, eventually joining
the EU in 2007. With our friendly local expert Robert as our guide, we will delve into the
medieval and more recent history of this gem of the Julian Alps today.

11 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

SUNDAY, MARCH 20 - SALZBURG

WEATHER

8:00 AM
11:00 AM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
3:30 PM
5:30 PM
7:30 PM

SALZBURG

Transfer to Hallein
Tour of Salt Mines
Lunch at Salt Mines
Transfer to Salzburg
Walking Tour of Salzburg
Salzburg Fortress
Transfer to Mostwastl Hotel
Dinner in Mostwastl
Gasthof Mostwastl
Mostwastlweg 3,
5082 Salzburg, Austria
+43 662 823572

The Rome of the North gained its wealth from the eponymous salt mines in the surrounding
mountains. We will visit some of the grand buildings in the city proper, as well as ascending
to the impenetrable fortress that sits on a cliff top overlooking Salzburg.

12 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

MONDAY, MARCH 21 - MUNICH

WEATHER

9:00 AM
11:30 AM
1:00 PM
1:30 PM
2:30 PM
3:30 PM
6:00 PM

Transfer to Dachau
Tour of Dachau
Picnic lunch
Transfer to Munich
Check into hostel
Walking tour of Munich
Dinner at HB House
Easy Palace Stay Smart
Mozartstr. 4 - 80336 Mnchen
Fon: +49 (0)89 55 87 97 0
Fax: +49 (0)89 55 87 97 97

DACHAU

The first of the vile concentration

camps set up by the Nazis,
Dachau opened in 1933,
soon after Hitler took power. It
served as a work camp where
prisoners were routinely worked
to death, and was the training
ground for the SS men who
would go on to start and run
scores of other camps until they
were liberated in the closing
years of WW II.

MUNICH

The capital city of Bavaria was a flattened, smoking ruin just 70 years ago. The residents chose
to rebuild the city as it was, instead of trying to modernize it, and the result is one of the most
pedestrian friendly beautiful cities in Europe.

13 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

TUESDAY, MARCH 22 - PRAGUE

WEATHER

8:00 AM
11:00 AM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:30 PM
6:30 PM
7:30 PM

Transfer to Cesky Krumlov

Picnic packed lunch
Walking tour of Cesky Krumlov
Krumlov Castle
Transfer to Prague
Check in to Hotel Yasmin
Dinner at Yasmin Restaurant
Hotel Yasmin
Politickych veznu 913/12
110 00 PRAGUE 1
Czech Republic
Tel.: +420 234 100 100

CESKY KRUMLOV

Situated on a slow moving S-curve on the Vltava River, Cesky Krumlov is the Czech
Republics finest time-warp. The scene of many rescues of princesses in towers, battles
with dragons, and wizard conventions in the Middle Ages, this fine preserved town is a
cobble-stoned castle-dominated Bohemian wonder.

14 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 - PRAGUE

WEATHER

9:00 AM
11:00 AM
1:30 PM
3:00 PM

Walking tour of Old Town / Charles Bridge

Prague Castle Tour / St. Vitus Cathedral
Lunch at Strahov Monastery
Shopping/Dinner in small groups

Hotel Yasmin
Politickych veznu 913/12
110 00 PRAGUE 1
Czech Republic
Tel.: +420 234 100 100

PRAGUE

The Paris of the East - Prague has been a city of great importance since its heyday
as one of the centres of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is where East (Slavic) meets
West (German), and one of the few places in Europe to escape major bomb damage
in World War II.

15 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

THURSDAY, MARCH 24 - PRAGUE

WEATHER

9:30 AM
10:45 AM
12:30 PM
2:30 PM
7:00 PM

Museum of Communism/Wenceslas Square

Museum of Communism/Wenceslas Square
Small groups lunch
Tour of Jewish Quarter
Dinner at Restaurace u Ceskych Panu

Hotel Yasmin
Politickych veznu 913/12
110 00 PRAGUE 1
Czech Republic
Tel.: +420 234 100 100

PRAGUE

Prague started the 20th century as part of an old empire, became the capital of
a democratic republic at the end of WWI, was overun by the Nazis during WWII,
suffered through a communist dictatorship for decades after the war, and was the
scene of the 1989 Velvet Revolution which was part of the larger wholesale collapse
of communism in Eastern Europe. For comparison, in Langley during the same time
period, a few goats escaped from a farm and blocked traffic on old Fraser Highway
for a few hours in 1958 and you got a Wal Mart some time later.

16 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - BAMBERG/ROTHENBURG

WEATHER

7:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:30 PM

Transfer to Bamberg
Lunch in Bamberg at Schlenkerla
Walking tour of Bamberg
Transfer to Nuremberg
Nazi Documentation Centre
Transfer to Rothenburg
Akzent Hotel
Schrannenplatz 6
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Phone: 0 98 61 - 95 50-0

BAMBERG

A charming slice of Upper Franconia. What youve always wanted.

NUREMBERG

The site of the huge Nazi Party rallies in the

1930s and the trials of Nazi war criminals in the
1940s, Nuremberg has come to symbolize the
rise and fall of the most evil regime in history.

17 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

SATURDAY, MARCH 26 - ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER

WEATHER

9:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:30 PM
6:30 PM
8:00 PM

Walking tour of Rothenburg

Kriminal Museum
Lunch/Scavenger Hunt in small groups
Dinner at hotel
Night Watchman Tour
Akzent Hotel
Schrannenplatz 6
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Phone: 0 98 61 - 95 50-0
Fax: 0 98 61 - 95 50-150

ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER

There 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, Ill reward the winning team with... something.
Scavenger hunt on the next page. Those who attempt to bribe me for answers can expect
harsh punishment at the Kriminal Museum.

18 The Grand Tour

LFMSS Europe Tour 2016

SUNDAY, MARCH 27 - GO HOME!

8:00 AM
1:30 PM
2:25 PM

WEATHER

Transfer to Frankfurt Airport

LH Flight 492 to Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver

Your Bedroom, Your House

Langley, BC, Canada

Netherlands

Poland

LFMSS EUROPE 2016

Germany

Belgium

Prague

Frankfurt

Luxembourg

Czech Republic
Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Munich
Fussen
Liechtenstein
Switzerland

ce

Levanto
Monaco

Salzburg
Austria

Bolzano

Verona

Venice

Hungary

Bled
Slovenia
Croatia
Bosnia and Herzegovina

San Marino
Florence
Italy

Vatican

19 The Grand Tour

Slovakia

Serbi

Montenegro

Ko

Albania