EUROPE'S Travel Diaries (2009)

EUROPE Travel Diaries (2009)

MAY 2009

It was May (2009) where my family was all set to fly and explore , experience the distinctive cultures, histories, and landscapes of Europe .
We Venture off the well-trod path to experience England’s cosmopolitan capital like a local.
We were travelling in a group tour travel package which included places -

London (2N)→Paris (2N)→Netherlands (2N)→Germany (1N)→Switzerland (3N)→Innsbruck (1N)→Venice (1N)→Arezzo (1N)→Rome (1N)

It was 14 Nights, 15 Days Tour Package .

Day 1 - MAY 2009
United Kingdom - London
Highlights to the places visited in UK and London -
Guided City Tour in London - Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, the Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace
Visit to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London
A Ride on the London Eye.
London, England

It all started in May 2009 , when we had 2 nights at Ibis Heathrow or similar in London.
It was in London .
The very next day after the arrival in UK and London we had a guided city group tour where we had to visit - the Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, the Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace.
After the entire big day exploring, discovering, travelling UK and London , we had overnight stay in London.


Day 2 - MAY 2009
London Eye, London
United Kingdom - London
The very next day we had a visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Later, we had a ride on the London Eye - one of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels. Overnight in London.

Day 3 - MAY 2009
France - Paris
Highlights Of places visited in France - Paris -

Guided City Tour of Paris - Calais, France , Eurotunnel train, Folkestone or by ferry from Dover, Disnyland, Paris , Eiffel Tour, the Place de la Concorde, the majestic Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and the Opera House.
Visit the Eiffel Tower Level 2 in Paris.

It was Day 3 in Calais, France by the Eurotunnel train from Folkestone or by ferry from Dover as we had travel from UK- London to France - Paris .The Overnight was in Paris - 2 nights at Campanile CDG or similar in Paris.
It was a big day after travelling from UK- London to France - Paris .

Day 4 - MAY 2009
Eiffel Tour, Paris
France - Paris

It was Day 4 and it was the day to visit Eiffel Tour and a guided city tour to see the Place de la Concorde, the majestic Arc de Triomphe, the fashionable Champs Elysees and the magnificent Opera House.
Overnight was at Campanile CDG or similar in Paris.

Day 5 - MAY 2009
Brussels, Belgium and The Netherlands
It was Day 5 already had arrived at Brussels from Paris to explore Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The ‘Manneken Pis’ statue of a little boy, as well as the beautiful Grand Place. We continued exploring The Netherlands.
Overnight in The Netherlands - 2 nights at NH Koningshof or similar in Netherlands.

Day 6 -May 2009
The Netherlands - Amsterdam
Highlights to the places visited in The Netherlands -
• Visit to Keukenhof Tulip Gardens in Lisse (Until 19th May)
• Visit to Madurodam in Den Haag (From 20th May)
• A Photo-stop at a Windmill
• Visit to Wooden Shoe Factory & Cheese Farm
• A Canal Cruise in Amsterdam.
It was the sixth day in this tour and we had to explore the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens and Madurodam, home to a range of miniature replicas of famous Dutch landmarks. Later , we had a Canal Cruise. Overnight in The Netherlands - 2 nights at NH Koningshof or similar in Netherlands.



Day 7 - May 2009
Germany
Highlights to the places visited in Germany -
• Visit to the Cologne Cathedral
• A scenic cruise on the Rhine River
• Visit to Drubba in the Black Forest.
Cologne and Rhine Cruise, Germany
Had a visit to Cologne and Cologne Cathedral and cruise on the River Rhine from Boppard to St. Goar. Overnight in Germany - 1 night at Achat Frankenthal or similar in Germany.

Day 8 - May 2009
Switzerland
Highlights to the places visited in Switzerland -
• Visit to the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen
• Visit to Mt. Titlis with Cliff Walk
• Orientation tour of Lucerne
Had a visit to Black Forest region of Germany. We stop at the Drubba to witness a demonstration of how traditional Cuckoo clocks are made. Later, drive to Switzerland, famous for soaring Alpine peaks and sparkling turquoise lakes. We stop at Schaffhausen for the Rhine falls. 

Overnight in Switzerland - 3 nights at Swissever Zug or similar in Switzerland.

Day 9 - MAY 2009
Switzerland
We had a visit to Jungfraujoch – a majestic backdrop of ice, snow and rock with breathtaking views. Board the charming cogwheel train and Later, visit Interlaken, one of Switzerland’s best known health and pleasure resorts. 

Overnight in Switzerland - 3 nights at Swissever Zug or similar in Switzerland.

Day 10- MAY 2009
Titlis and Lucerne, Switzerland
The Day 10 was all about to visit Mt. Titlis, the highest peak in central Switzerland, ride two cable cars - the second of which is the ‘Titlis Rotair’, the world’s first rotating cable car. Weather permitting, you could take a stroll on the Cliff Walk - a 100m. suspension bridge 3,000m above the ground! Later, visit Lucerne - on an orientation tour see the Lion Monument and Kapellbrucke. You can also shop for Swiss souvenirs. 

Overnight in Switzerland - 3 nights at Swissever Zug or similar in Switzerland .

Day 11 - MAY 2009
Austria
Highlights of the places visited in Austria -
• Visit to Swarovski Crystal World in Wattens
• Orientation Tour in Innsbruck.
Wattens and Innsbruck, Austria
The Day 11 was all about Austria. Visit the Swarovski Crystal World in Wattens. Later, on an orientation tour of Innsbruck see the ‘Goldenes Dachl’ or Golden Roof and the Heiblinghaus, a building resembling a wedding cake. 

Overnight in Innsbruck - 1 night at Dollinger or similar in Innsbruck.



Day 12 - MAY 2009
Italy
Highlights of the places visited in Italy -
• Visit to St. Marks Square
• Visit the Murano Glass Showroom in Venice
• Orientation Tour in Pisa
• Visit to Piazalle Michelangelo in Florence
• Guided City Tour in Rome.
Pisa & Florence, Italy
Had to traveled to Pisa and visit the ‘Field of Miracles’, the Duomo - Cathedral, the Baptistry and the ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa’. Later , to Florence and visit Piazzale Michelangelo for a bird’s eye view of the city. Next , we had traveled to Arezzo.

  Overnight in Arezzo -1 night at A Point Arezzo or similar in Arezzo.


Day 13 - MAY 2009
Vatican
• Visit to St.Peter’s Basilica.
Venice, Italy
Rome, Italy and The Vatican City
Day 13 was all about the places in Rome and visit the St. Peter’s Basilica. On a guided city tour of Rome you will see renowned sights such as the victor Emmanuel II Monument, the ancient Roman & Imperial Forums and the gigantic Colosseum. 

Overnight in Rome -1 night at Green Park Pamphili or similar in Rome.

Day 14- MAY 2009
Venice
The day we had proceeded to Venice - built on over 100 small islands, separated by canals and linked by bridges. At St. Mark’s Square see the historic Ducal Palace, the romantic Bridge of Sighs, the exquisite Clock Tower and splendid St. Mark’s Basilica. We also visit the Murano Glass factory for a glass blowing demonstration. 

Overnight in Padova / Venice -1 night at BW Airvenice or similar in Venice/ Padova.

Day 15 -
Return to India after long journey of Europe .

All these 14-15 days were of exploring , discovering and Venture off the well-trod path to experience England’s cosmopolitan capital like a local. 

The Traveling Diary was of MAY 2009 .

Thanking you ,

ZARANA MEHTA