Roswell's European Venture 2008

IN THE SUMMER OF

Once again, I will be taking a student group to Europe this coming summer. I continue to believe that travel is one of the greatest experiences, especially after completing the course in European history. You will have a chance to see and experience first hand many of the things you have been learning about.

To check your account, go to and go to Tour #949720.

This summer's trip will visit 6 different countries: England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Germany. Each of their countries has its own special charm with plenty of culture and history.

We will be traveling with EF,a company that I have dealt with now for over fifteen years. EF has been in business for well over 30 years and has taken more students to Europe than any other company. They are bonded, so your money is safe. While on tour, they provide a link so that we can be reached if an emergency occurs. We will be accompanied by a full-time, bilingual Tour Director throughout our stay in Europe. More about their services below; let's get to the itinerary.

Departure is set for Sunday, June 29 and we will return 22 days later on Sunday, July 20.

Day 1 / June 29: We depart from San Diego's Lindbergh Field. Our flight will take us all night, so try to get some sleep because when morning arrives (in another time zone one-third of the way around the world, we will arrive at our first stop, London, England in the United Kingdom.

Day 2 / June 30: Our first stop is London, England, capital of the United Kingdom and centerpiece of English-speaking civilization. After the trans-Atlantic flight, we land at Gatwick Airport where we will clear customs and meet our Tour Director who will stay with us throughout our stay in Europe. A motor coach (that's English for bus) will take us to our hotel. Depending upon our check-in time, we may be able to do a little sightseeing in the afternoon. This is our jet lag day.


The Houses of Parliament and the Clock Tower with Big Ben is one of London's most famous images.	The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the most popular events to see in London. It is a ceremony whose pageantry shows the splendor and ceremony of the British Empire. Buckingham Palace is the London residence of the Royal Family.	Tower Bridge, one of London's most famous landmarks, is actually a drawbridge that raises to allow ships to pass under.

Day 3 / July 1: London: Our guided tour of the city of London will take us past the major landmarks of the capital. We'll see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner. We'll see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and tour St. Paul's Cathedral. (Have a look at the live webcams in London.)


Westminster Abbey is the official site of the coronation of every English monarch since William the Conqueror in 1066 and the burial site of many of the British Empire most famous people.	St. Paul's Cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the Seventeenth Century. It's dome dominated the city until the modern construction of the late Twentieth Century.

London evenings always present the possibility of theatre. The "Half-price booth" in Leicester Square is available daily for the best bargains in the performing arts. What's playing in London? There's something for virtually every taste.

Leicester Square: By day its the site of the Half-price booth for theatre tickets; by night its one of London's greatest sites of spontaneous entertainment and people watching.

Day 4 / July 2: London: Today you will have lots of choices. You may stay in London and use the day to see the city more closely. You will be able to choose from a variety of sights or excursions. London is a large city with many attractions to fill another day. Among the possibilities are tours of the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, the Cabinet War Rooms, the Imperial War Museum, the British Library, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, or any of the other sights too numerous to mention.

William the Conqueror began building the Tower of London in 1078. It has been a fortress, a royal residence, a prison, an armory, and is still home to the Crown Jewels.

OR
Take the optional trip to Oxford and Statford-upon-Avon: You will visit two of England's most famous towns after a ride across the countryside. The first stop will be the university town of Oxford and stroll through the colleges. Next it's on to Stratford-upon-Avon, site of the birth and burial place of William Shakespeare and famous for its Elizabethan buildings. An additional optional is available to stay for an evening of theatre in Stratford or possibly in London.


Oxford with its many colleges has been the center of English intellectual life since the Twelfth Century	Stratford-upon-Avon was the town where William Shakespeare was born, married, and buried.

Day 5 / July 3: London: One more day in London, and there's still plenty to see. What's left? There's the London Eye giant Ferris wheel, Covent Garden, or shopping at Harrod's department store, or perhaps you'll opt for one of the places just outside of London like Hampton Court Palace or the Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum at Greenwich.


The London Eye, originally built for the Millennium Celebration, has become one of the cities favorite attractions.	You'll go everywhere on the London Underground or the "Tube". The world's oldest subway makes getting around the city incredibly easy. (map)


Hampton Court Palace outside London became a royal residence during the reign of Henry VIII.	The Royal Observatory in Greenwich marks the site of the Prime Meridian.

Day 6 / July 4: London to Paris via Canterbury: We leave London in the morning on a long day's journey to Paris. After a drive across the county of Kent, called the Garden of England, we will arrive in Canterbury, site of the Cathedral that was the destination of Geoffrey Chaucer's pilgrims. After a brief visit to the Cathedral where Thomas à Becket was assassinated by four knights of King Henry II in 1170, we are off for the ferry that will take us across the English Channel to France. We can look back at the romantic White Cliffs of Dover.


Canterbury Cathedral is the spiritual center of the Church of England. It has been the destination of religious pilgrims from all over England since the twelfth century.

When we reach Dover, we will cross the English Channel by ferry looking back at the famous White Cliffs as we leave England.

The famous White Cliffs of Dover have inspired poets, songwriters and invaders for centuries.

After we land in France at either the port of Calais or Boulogne, our continental coach will carry us across France to our evening arrival in Paris, the "City of Light" and capital of France.


*The Arc de Triomphe* was planned by Napoleon to celebrate the glory of France.**	Looking up the Champs Elysées toward the Arc de Triomphe. The avenue at the center of Paris is one of the most famous streets in the world. It is the last lap of the Tour de France every July.	*Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris* was almost demolished in the 19th century.**

Day 7 / July 5: Paris: On our first full day in Paris we will have a guided sightseeing tour of the city viewing the traditional sites such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées, the prison of the Concièrgerie, the Eiffel Tower, and Les Invalides. We will stop and tour Notre Dame Cathedral. Have a look at a Paris Webcam. This would be a good night to climb up Montmartre, visit the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, look around the art colony, and grab a snack at a sidewalk café.
In the afternoon, an optional trip to the Palace of Versailles is available. Built by Louis XIV, it is the epitome of the royal palace. Inside, see the King's bedroom where Louis XIV would receive people without ever getting out of bed, the Queen's bedroom where Louis XVI's Queen, Marie Antoinette, was when women stormed the Palace in October of 1789, and the famous Hall of Mirrors where the monarchs entertained and the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919.


The huge Palace of Versailles was built by Louis XIV in the late 17th Century to house, contain, and entertain all of the nobles of France.

Day 8 / July 6: Paris: In the morning, we will get a walking tour. Depending on the location of our hotel, we may walk through the Opéra district, the Place de la Concorde where the guillotine stood during the Revolution, and the Place Vendôme with the Hotel Ritz. In the afternoon, we will tour the Louvre, the world's largest art museum, once the palace of French kings. The museum features one of the world's finest collections including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo. Probably in the evening, we'll try to find the time to climb the Eiffel Tower and see the city from the top of its most famous monument.


The Eiffel Tower, with its spectacular views of the city, dominates Paris.

Day 9 / July 7: Paris and the Night Train to Zurich: We have another day in Paris to continue to see the many sights. Among the possibilities are the Musée D'Orsay with its great collection of Impressionism, the Picasso Museum, or Sacre Coeur on Montmartre. In the evening, we will depart Paris by train headed for Switzerland. We will sleep on the train in our couchettes. It will be tight, but an adventure to tell.


The Lion Monument in Lucerne, Switzerland, commemorates the Swiss Guards of Louis XVI who were killed during the assault on the Tuileries Palace in 1792 during the French Revolution. Mark Twain called it "the saddest and most compassionate piece of rock on earth."	The Kapelbrücke, or Chapel Bridge has been the city of Lucerne, Switzerland's most famous landmark since the Fourteenth Century. Said to be Europe's longest covered bridge, 109 murals depicting the history of the city of Lucerne and nation of Switzerland, decorate the underside of its wooden ceiling. The bridge was restored after a damaging fire in 1993.

Day 10 / July 8: Zurich to Lucerne: A new coach will take us from the train station in Zurich to Lucerne. Upon arrival in Lucerne, we will have a guided tour of the city including the Löwendenkmal (the Lion Monument) built to commemorate the Swiss guards killed during the French Revolution and the Kapellbrücke, the city's famous covered bridge. In the afternoon there is an optional excursion to Mt. Pilatus with its magnificent view of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding valley. It's a chance to go to top of one of the Alps highest peaks. If you stay in town, there's plenty of shopping and you can climb and walk the city walls.


Mt. Pilatus viewed from Lake Lucerne	The view from Mt. Pilatus

Day 11 / July 9: Lucerne Region to Florence: This is a travel day from southwestern Switzerland out of the Alps, across northern Italy to sunny Tuscany in central Italy. It's an incredible drive including one stretch through a tunnel that is so long that the radio stations have transmitters inside or you wouldn't get any reception for a long time. As we leave the Alps, we will cross northwestern Italy heading toward our destination of Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance".


We leave the mountains of Switzerland for the rolling hills of Italy

Day 12 / July 10: Florence: Outside of Athens in its Golden Age, no place in the world could rival Florence in the High Renaissance in its gathering of genius in one city. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Brunelleschi, Giotto -- the list goes on and on. In the morning, we will walk the city streets and see the basic sights with our city guide. We will see the great Cathedral of Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, with its bell tower (campanile) designed by Giotto, its dome designed by Brunelleschi, and its baptistry doors -- the "Gates of Paradise" -- disigned by Ghiberti. We'll walk through the Piazza del Signoria, where Michelangelo's David stood for 300 years, past the Uffizi Gallery -- once a Medici Palace and now one of the world's great art museums -- and into the Chiesa del Santa Croce, site of the tombs of Machiavelli, Michelangelo, and Galileo.


*The Cathedral of Florence, Il Duomo, is the center of the city of Florence and features the first dome constructed since the classical days of the Roman Empire.*	The Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall, was the political center of Florence.

In the afternoon, there is an optional trip to Pisa and a chance to see the famous Leaning Tower and the city's cathedral and baptistry with its incredible acoustics.


The Cathedral and Campanile (the "Leaning Tower originally was supposed to function as a bell tower for the Cathedral) of Pisa. Galileo taught at the university and demonstrated his discoveries here.	The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world's most famous buildings.

Day 13 / July 11: Florence to Rome via Assisi: We leave Florence in our coach bound for Rome. On the way, we will stop in Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare, and visit the Basilica of St. Francis decorated with frescoes by Giotto that tell the story of St. Francis. We will arrive in Rome and take an orientation tour across a portion of the city led by our Tour Director. Rome is a city whose attractions span the centuries from ancient Rome to the post-World War II period of La Dolce Vita, a 1960 film about the wild side of Roman life. We'll make ourselves comfortable in our Roman hotel, and I'll probably look for the nearest gelato stand.


The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is decorated inside with Giotto frescoes that tell the story of the life of St. Francis	The Roman Forum has gone through a great deal of archaeological restoration. It was once the center of Roman public life.

Day 14 / July 12: Rome: A city guide will take us on our tour of the "Eternal City" and the Vatican. During our stay in Rome, we'll get to see the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Fountain of Trevi, the Piazza Navona, St. Peter's Basililca, the Sistine Chapel, the Vittoriano, built to honor King Victor Emmanuel II, Italy's first king, the Colosseum, and walk through the ruins of the Roman Forum. It's a great city and we'll take in as much as possible while we have the chance.


According to legend, a coin thrown into the Fountain of Trevi with the proper wish will guarantee your return to Rome.	St. Peter's Basilica with its dome designed by Michelangelo is the largest Christian church in the world.

Day 15 / July 13: Rome: I hope we all choose to take the optional trip to Pompeii, today. Pompeii is a fantastic experience. The ruins of this Roman city, covered with the ash of Mount Vesuvius during it eruption in 79 A.D., gives a look back to the world of ancient Rome and an archaeological dig still in progress.


The Forum in Pompeii	A city street in Pompeii
The city of Pompeii was destroyed by an eruption of the volcano Mt. Vesuvius (webcam) in 79 A.D. Today it is the best example of what life in a Roman city was like.

OR
If you choose to stay in Rome, don't worry, there's plenty to see. Take the tour of the Colosseum, go to see Michelangelo's Moses in the church St. Peter in Chains, shop, or just stroll any of the city's walking tours. Go back and see the sights we only passed on the guided tour.


The Roman Colosseum was built in 80 A.D. over the remains of the palace of the Emperor Nero. The first of Rome's public amphitheatres, it was the site fabulous spectacles to entertain Rome's restless masses.	*The Tomb of Pope Julius II, located in the church St. Peter in Chains, features Michelangelo's statue of Moses.*

Day 16 / July 14: Rome to Venice: Today is a long day's drive from Rome to Venice. The city was actually built on sandbars as its residents sought protection from the dangers of the mainland. Unfortunately, time and tide are wearing on the beautiful city, but it still has the charm of its canals, bridges, and gondolas.

The approach to the city of Venice by water with the Campanile, St. Mark's Basilica, and the Doge's Palace.

Day 17 / July 15: Venice: Today we will tour the city of Venice. The water taxi will take us to the main part of the city. St. Mark's Basilica begun in the 11th Century, walk around the Piazza San Marco with its overpopulation of pigeons, see the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge, and tour the Doge's Palace. You can even take a ride through the canals on a gondola, if you want.

The Rialto Bridge across the Grand Canal of Venice

Day 18 / July 16: Venice to the Tyrol: Today and tomorrow will be drives across some of the most beautiful country mountain country in the world. From Venice to the Austrian Tyrol is a drive that passes some of the world's most famous ski resorts. Innsbruck was the sight of the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976 and is still a gathering place for international skiers. We'll spend the night below the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Austrian Alps.


Innsbruck, Austria is the largest town in the Austrian Alps. The town is over 800 years old and it has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, 1964 and 1976.	Innsbruck was the home town of the Habsburg family. The Triumphal Gate was built for the family's victory parades.

Day 19 / July 17: The Tyrol to Munich: As you can tell from the previous day's description, I'm really partial to this part of the world. From the Austrian Alps and into Upper Bavaria we go, today. We will see the famous Castle of Neuschwanstein, the model for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty's Castle. We will also visit Linderhof Castle which was actually Mad King Ludwig's favorite. Then its off to Oberammergau, the beautiful Bavarian village that is the site of Germany's famous Passion Play, performed every ten years since the 17th century. In the evening, we will arrive in Munich, noted among German cities for the good spirit of its inhabitants.


Bavaria's Mad King Ludwig is famous for the castles he built. We will see two. Neuschwanstein (left) was the model for Disneyland and Disney World's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Linderhof (right) was Ludwig's favorite.

Day 20 / July 18: Munich: It may not be time for Oktoberfest, but Munich is always interesting. Our guided tour will take us past the Olympic Stadium built for the 1972 games, the headquarters of BMW, the Residenz palace of the Wittelsbach family, and the art museums, the Alte Pinakothek and Neue Pinakothek. We wind up in the town center Marienplatz to see the famous Glockenspiel as it strikes the hour.


Munich's cathedral, the Frauenkirche and the other spires of the city's skyline.	BMW Headquarters in Munich


*The Marienplatz* is the center of Munich and the city's active life.**	*Munich's Glockenspiel* is known worldover.**

Day 21 / July 19: Munich to Heidelberg: We will begin the day with a visit to Dachau, sight of one of the World War II Nazi concentration camps and Germany's most prominent monument to the Holocaust. After our visit to Dachau, the coach will take us across southern Germany to Heidelberg. Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university. We will tour Heidelberg Castle, once besieged by the army of Louis XIV. We will be able to stroll the town's medieval streets and admire this town considered one of Germany's most charming.

Heidelberg Castle sits on a hill above the Neckar River.

Day 22 / July 20: Heidelberg to Frankfurt to Home: In the morning, a coach will take us from Heidelberg to Frankfurt Airport outside Frankfurt-am-Main. From there we will fly back to the USA. We may fly non-stop or stop in a hub city and clear customs before boarding one last plane for San Diego. Sooner than you think, it's over and you're back at San Diego International Airport/Lindbergh Field in San Diego -- back home again to American food and home cooking -- and some of the greatest memories of your life.

The Pacific Ocean will be waiting for you upon your return.

*OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: As the name implies, optional excursions are additions to the tour which you my choose to take. They are always organized and the tour director or other licensed guide accompanies you. Optional excursion prices and the scheduled day of the optional are list below. Optional excursion payment is separate from the Program payment. Optionals are paid for approximately 50 days before departure. Some, but not all, optionals can be purchased on the tour for an additional premium. All optionals require a minimum number of participants, usually 20. If an optional is canceled, the traveler will receive a refund upon return.

The costs:

Fees	22 Day Tour (Proposed date of departure: June 27, 2008)
Membership Fee	$95.00
Base Program Fee (see below)	$3095.00
Extra Day in London	$185.00
Airport Fees**	$384.00
All-inclusive Insurance	$115.00
**Total Cost for students*	$3759.00 (Without insurance) $3874.00 (With insurance)
****Total Cost for adults	$4312.00 (Without insurance) $4427.00 (With insurance)
**Airport Fees are determined by each nation and the individual airport. This fee is, therefore, not under the control of EF and subject to change. All other costs are fixed when the Registration Fee is paid.
***Student is defined by EF as any full-time student up to age 22.
****These prices are going up on January 1. Once you have enrolled, all fees are fixed except airport fees which are controlled by the nations, cities, and airports involved.

The Base Program Fee includes:

Round-trip airfare
All overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms; plus 1 night couchette accommodation on train
Complete European breakfast and dinner daily
Full-time bilingual EF Tour Director
7 sightseeing tours led by licensed local guides: London, Paris, Florence, Vatican City, Rome, Venice, Munich
2 sightseeing tours led by our Tour Director: Canterbury, Heidelberg
3 walking tours: London, Paris, Munich
1 orientation tour: Rome
15 visits to special attractions: Canterbury Cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Duomo, Leather-making demonstration, Assisi Basilica, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Doge's Palace, Glass-blowing demonstration, Neuschwanstein Castle, Dachau, Heidelberg Castle wine barrel
Whisper headsets for tours of Florence, Vatican City, and Rome

HOW DO YOU REGISTER TO GO?

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