Afs deutschland tour 9 days english 2018

AFS DEUTSCHLAND TOUR

2018

AFS Interkulturelle Begegnungen e.V.

9 Days / 8 Nights Hamburg Berlin

Köln Dresden

DEUTSCHLAND

Loreley

Heidelberg

Nürnberg

München Neuschwanstein

Departure from HAMBURG

Operated by:

Sonnenstraße 23 suite 305, 80331 - Munich, Germany Phone: +49 89 92 1313650 - Fax: +49 89 921313659 www.beloeurope.com - facebook.com/beloeurope

WELCOME TO THE AFS DEUTSCHLAND TOUR

AFS DEUTSCHLAND TOUR Welcome to the AFS Germany Tour!

9 days / 8 nights

Along this 9-day trip you will discover all the marvelous historical treasures Germany has to offer to its visitors. You will have the tremendous chance to explore a country inhabited by such a festive people while building a strong friendship with students coming from all over the world!

All across the country you will be impressed by the remarkable architecture of places like the very medieval bridge and castle in Heidelberg; the Frauenkirche in Munich. Close to Munich you will be astonished to face the gigantic castle of Neuschwanstein, the real castle that inspired Walt Disney. It is going to take your breath away (and not just because of the steep walk up to the top). You will also get to discover the wonderful port of Hamburg, also named the “Gateway to the World�.

Germany is also a country deeply marked by the Second World War, which caused severe damages here and there in many of the cities you will visit. Cities like Dresden and Berlin will indeed let you witness the scares left by bombardments all over the city. In Berlin, you will meet with the positive German energy that pushed the city to be reborn from its ashes and become the very colorful, artistic and lively place you will adore! The Berlin Wall stands as its perfect symbol. Another city that is closely linked to the Second World War is Nuremberg. After the war the Nuremberg Trials, where the major war criminals were prosecuted, took place here from 1945 until 1949.

Get ready to discover a country rich of a heritage in architecture, history and folklore. All this and so much more awaits you on your journey across Germany!

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Programme DAY 1

HAMBURG/Arrival Day

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288 km – 3 ½ hours

7:00 pm – Arrival and dinner (included) Arrival Day! Let´s get to know the other students!!!

Arrival times: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Hamburg Central Station, Hamburg Central Bus Station (ZOB) or Airport Hamburg (HAM) *** Don´t forget to print the arrival sheet and take it with you.

••••• DAY 3

BERLIN Breakfast (included)

Belo Europe Travel Staff will meet arriving students at our pre-arranged pick-up points. Make sure you send us your arrival information so we know your arrival date and time.

7:00 pm – Dinner (included) and Orientation Meeting

At the orientation the Trip Coordinator will give all students the guidelines, as well as the logistical specifics for the trip. The chaperone and the Belo Europe Travel team will introduce themselves so students know who they are and what their roles are during the trip. This meeting is mandatory and will prepare all students to fully enjoy this fantastic trip safely.

••••• DAY 2

HAMBURG/ BERLIN

9:00 – Today we will start with a great City Tour going back in time when Berlin used to be divided and visit Alexanderplatz. This square used to be considered as the centre for the German Democratic Republic's redevelopment. It's a large pedestrian zone and it is surrounded by several notable structures including the Fernsehturm (TV Tower), the second tallest structure in Europe.

Let´s also check-out the American Checkpoint Charlie.

3:00 pm – Departure from Dresden. Let´s continue our bus ride towards Nuremberg, located in the south of Germany. Ÿ

315 km – 4 hours

7:00 pm – Arrival in Nuremberg and dinner (included) ••••• DAY 5

12:00 – Lunch (not included) Try a Berliner Currywurst or a Turkish Kebap!

NUREMBERG/MUNICH

This afternoon we will go to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Boulevard Unter den Linden, the Brandenburger Tor, the Siegessäule...

Breakfast (included).

After Alexanderplatz, we will walk around the Berlin Cathedral and enjoy some free time to explore the area.

19:00 – Time for dinner… Hungry for a great Pizza night?! (included).

9:00 am – Let´s discover more about the history of this amazing city. From the days of the Holy Roman Empire to the German Renaissance, Third Reich, Nazi rallies and Nuremberg Trials..

Nuremberg, a city in northern Bavaria, distinguishes itself by medieval architecture such as the fortifications and stone towers of its Altstadt (Old Town).

12:00 pm – Free time for lunch (not included).

Breakfast (included) 9:00 pm – We depart from our hostel. Are you ready for a bike tour? Let´s see what else Hamburg can offer its inhabitants and visitors: Alster, city hall, Warehouse District, Landing Bridges, Harbor City, St. Pauli and much more! (included).

A sentence from Erich Kästner summarizes the city: „Dresden is the triad of history, culture and nature“. The city has experienced both ends of the spectrum: Glory and tragedy. European politics, culture and economic development were centred in Dresden in the 18th century, only to become destroyed just two centuries later in WWII. The restauration of the city, such as the Semper Opera House or the Zwinge started in the 1960s already.

••••• DAY 4

BERLIN/ DRESDEN/ NUREMBERG

2:00 pm - We will visit the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rallying Grounds (German: D o k u m e n t a t i o n s z e n t r u m Reichsparteitagsgelände), a museum in

Breakfast (included) Hamburg is Germany´s second largest city and is located in the North of Germany. It boasts one of the biggest harbors in the world and is famous for its legendary nightlife hub “Reeperbahn”, which is also home to the city´s red light district. Hamburg has maritime charme with several waterways running through its center – with more bridges than Amsterdam and Venice combined!

1:00 pm - You will have some time to experience the city for yourself and grab some lunch. (not included)

8:00 am – Departure from the hotel. The bus will leave punctually, so have all your luggage ready to board after breakfast. We will first drive to Dresden, to see even more about the former DDR Ÿ

193 km – 3 hours

11:00 am – Arrival in Dresden. You have free time to explore the city! You can have a look at the famous Semper Opera House, or stroll along the river Elbe towards Neumarkt. There you can sit in one of the cafés and enjoy a nice lunch. There are several shops and cafés selling various products from the former DDR, if you fancy taking a look! (not included)

3:00 pm - We will leave Hamburg to go to Berlin!

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Programme Nuremberg. It is in the north wing of the unfinished remains of the Congress Hall of the former Nazi party rallies. Its permanent exhibition "Fascination and Terror" is concerned with the causes, connections, and consequences of Nazi Germany. (included)

MUNICH/NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE/ HEIDELBERG

Rhine and hear more about the story of an enchanting female associated with the rock, the beautiful Lore Lay.

Breakfast (included)

19:30 –Arrival, Check-In and dinner (included).

8:00 am – Departure to Neuschwanstein Castle 4:30 pm - We can now get back on the bus and head to the capital of Bavaria: Munich! Ÿ

170 km – 2 ½ hours

7:00 pm - Arrival in Munich check in and dinner (included).

••••• DAY 6

MUNICH / DACHAU

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122 km – 2 hours

10:00 am – Arrival in Hohenschwangau. Are you ready to stretch your legs and go for a little walk to the castle? Let´s do it!!! (included).

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular tourist destination in Europe and therefore it is not surprising that it is also the most photographed building in Germany.

Nestled among the breath-taking beauty of the Bavarian Alps near the town of Füssen, this fairy tale castle served as the inspiration of Walt Disney´s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Breakfast (included) 8:30 am – After having seen what happened after the end of the Second World War, let's go to the beginning of it and visit the concentration camp in Dachau.

Even though Auschwitz might be the most famous camp in the Nazi system of terror, it was not the first. The first concentration camp was Dachau, established on March 20, 1933 and was still very active until the American troops liberated the survivors on April 29 1945.

12:00 pm - Return to Munich where we will have some free time for lunch (not included) 2:00 pm – Ready to find out more about Munich?

Munich is home to several sophisticated opera houses and theaters like the National Theater. The city is an attractive blend of classic and modern architecture, teeming in historic churches, medieval walls and royal palaces, as well as bustling shopping centers and nightlife venues.

Munich is located in the South of Germany, is the capital of Bavaria and the gateway to the German Alps.

München, the city´s native name, is derived from the German word Mönche („monks“) and traces back Munich´s origin as a Benedictine monastery in the 8th century.

7:00 pm – Get ready for a real Bavarian dinner (included).

••••• DAY 7

1:00 pm – Free time for lunch. You can choose a quick bite, or a sit down restaurant in this small village. (not included) 3:00 pm – We get back on the bus and go to beautiful Heidelberg! Ÿ

••••• DAY 9

COLOGNE/ Departure Day Breakfast (included) 9:00 am - To end our Germanytour, let´s go on a tour of this beautiful city and have a look at a few of Cologne's famous sites.

The Cologne Cathedral is a Roman-Catholic Cathedral that stands at 157m tall and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne.

12:00 pm - Free time for lunch (not included) in the town centre of Cologne with a chance to take a few last pictures in front of the Cathedral, the Historic Town Hall or the Hohenzollernbridge.

3:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Departure from Cologne ZOB or Cologne Central Station

330 km – 4 ½ hours

7:30 pm – Arrival and dinner (included)

Thanks for traveling with Belo Europe Travel, see you soon for another adventure!

••••• DAY 8

HEIDELBERG/ COLOGNE Breakfast (included) 9:00 am – Let´s explore this beautiful town. We will first visit the Old Town where we can stroll through the small streets and breathe in the charm of the place. Then, we will visit the University and check out the student´s prison. Finally, we conclude the tour in the Jesuiten Quarter (included).

12:00 pm –You have some time to get to know the town in your style and pace. Time for you to get some lunch (not included)!

2:00 pm – Depart from Heidelberg… today we will head north along the Rhine River, the secondlongest river in Central and Western Europe (after the Danube). Ÿ

256 km – 4 hours

We will make a quick stop by the Lorelei before continuing to Cologne… a 132 m (433 ft) high, steep slate rock on the right bank of the River

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Price & Included PRICE: €980 INCLUDED

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Reichstag Berlin

*9 Days and 8 nights beginning in Hamburg and ending in Cologne

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Scavenger Hunt in Dresden

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Memorium Nuremberg Trials

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Documentation Centre in Nuremberg

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Transportation in coach buses

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Concentration Camp in Dachau

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Water inside the bus for the trip–days

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Schloss Neuschwanstein entrance

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8 nights in a hotel/hostel (double or multi-bed rooms, same gender)

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Entrance to the Castle in Heidelberg

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8 Breakfasts

Transfer to/from to Train or Bus Station or Airport

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8 Dinners

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Assistance of the Belo Europe Staff

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Transportation to the tours

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Assistance of the AFS Chaperone

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Local Guides

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Bike Tour Hamburg

NOT INCLUDED • Lunches; The German cuisine has many delicious things to offer. Enjoy some free time every day at lunch to discover with your friends the tasty food of Germany. Count around €10-15 for your lunch.

Useful Hints

MANDATORY ITEMS: • Original Passport: students will not be allowed to travel without their passport;

• Sneakers, tennis shoes and/or walking shoes (we will be doing a lot of walking on this trip);

• Cap;

•Alarm clock;

• Sunscreen;

•Lock for luggage.

• Sunglasses;

• Sweatshirts; layered clothing; • Personal health products;

• Swimsuit;

• Shorts and pants;

• If you bring a credit card, leave a copy with your host-family.

• T-shirts;

• Approximately € 140 for personal expenses during the trip, such as meals, gifts, and other. If you are interested in buying gifts, remember to bring a larger amount;

CLOTHING AND OTHER NECESSARY ITEMS:

• Watch;

• Accessories (belt, etc.);

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED ITEMS: • Camera, memory card and charger; • Video Camera and charger; • Cell phone and charger; • MP3, I-Pod...; • Musical instrument you play; • Small pillow or blanket to use while traveling on bus.

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General Conditions Once any student requests the description of any of the trip's programs organized by Belo Europe Travel, the client declares to know and to agree with all the terms of “General Conditions”, that can be found in our trip program and on our web site.

Conditions of the trip: 1. The trip has a limited number of vacancies, which will be filled on a “first come – first served” basis.

2. There must be at least 35 students signed up to open up the trip. However, there is a possibility for us to open more buses depending on the number of reservations.

3. The rules of the High School Exchange program that you and your parents have signed, apply for the entire duration of the trip. Where any conflict arises between the rules of Belo Europe Travel and the Organization, it is the stricter of the two rules which applies and will be enforced.

4. One staff member of the Exchange Organization will accompany the trip as a chaperone. There will be one chaperone per bus.

5. Our schedules and itineraries must be followed by all students. The trip coordinator reserves the right to make changes in the schedule, when necessary, or if it is in the best interest of the group.

6. All departure/arrival times from/to our activities will be decided by the coordinators, depending on the exact length of each activity.

7. Belo Europe Travel reserves the right to operate the trip program backwards (i.e., switching the departure city and the arrival city) if needed because of number of students and availability.

8. All students who take part in this trip grant image use rights to Belo Europe Travel to produce a trip video, as well as use of photos from the trip on our website and program materials.

Requirements for the students: 9. German is the official language of this trip.

10. It is not allowed, under any circumstance, for any student to separate himself/herself from the program during the trip.

11. All students must bring their original passport on the trip, however please leave a copy of your passport with your host family.

12. Keep luggage to a minimum. All students will carry and be responsible for their own luggage at all times. The maximum amount allowed is 23 kg (50 pounds) and a carry-on bag (small bag or back pack). Remember to keep the items you will need during the day with you on the bus - like iPods, cameras, wallets, etc.

13. At the beginning and the end of the trip, each student must leave from and go directly to his/her host community, unless the student has a written permission from the organization and his/her family.

Student Safety and Conduct during the Trip 14. All participants are requested to be very careful in all swimming areas (pool, lake, beach, etc.) as they are not familiar with the places. If a participant does not know how to swim, he/she must let the coordinator of the trip know about it.

15. If you take any regular medication, make sure to bring enough for the trip's duration. Also, please bring a copy of the prescription in case you might need it (just to be safe.)

16. Since we will be outside, please be careful and use lotion/sunscreen.

17. The trip is smoke-free, which means that smoking of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette or any other lighted smoking equipment is prohibited.

18. Hallucinogen drug use of any kind is prohibited.

19. Stealing of any kind will be severely punished in addition to any possible legal consequences.

20. Purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden.

21. Getting a tattoo or body piercing during the trip is forbidden in line with the organization rules.

22. If any student's conduct is considered harmful to the rest of the students, or if any student breaks any of the program rules, he or she can be sent back to their host community immediately, assuming all extra costs, to his/her host city/family. Additionally, any violation of the rules and any students removed from the program will be reported to the organization.

- Cancelled more than 30 days before the beginning of the trip: 10% of the trip's price.

- Cancelled more than 29 and 21 days before the beginning of the trip: 20% of the trip's price.

- Cancelled between 20 and 7 days before the beginning of the trip: 40% of the trip's price.

- Cancelled between 6 days or less before the beginning of the trip: 100% of the trip's price.

32. If a student cancels his/her trip, any payments previously made cannot be transferred to another student or host sibling 33. A request for reimbursement due to trip cancellation because of an early return of the exchange student to his/her original country, must be made to Belo Europe Travel at least seven (7) days in advance of the program trip's departure. After initial request, reimbursement will be made to a European bank account and the penalties will be applied according to the “cancellation and refund policy” above. If the student does not follow the deadline established by the program, making it necessary for us to proceed with the reimbursement through International Wire Transfer, all taxes and bank fees will be the client's responsibility.

Expenses

34. In case of early return of the student from the trip or to his/her original country, cost of return ticket is the student's responsibility.

23. All prices are in Euro €. In case of payment by international wire transfer in your local currency (different than Euro €), the exchange rate to be considered for conversion will be the one listed by HypoVereinsbank on the day that the payment arrives in Europe.

35. Any student who leaves the trip during the program, for any reason, or is sent home for breaking any program rules, will not receive any refund.

24. Belo Europe Travel is not responsible for buying any bus, train or airplane tickets from the student's host city to the departure of the trip and return. It is the student's responsibility to pay for the ticket.

25. All other optional activities that may be offered during student's free time are considered extra costs, and are not included in the overall trip price.

26. Please note that additional expenses are different for each individual. We believe that € 20.-/per day is enough for food, extra entertainment, optional items, etc., but remember to bring additional money if you are planning to buy gifts. Also, remember that anything you buy will have to fit into your suitcase in order to get it on the bus and back home.

27. Please bring all cash in Euro €.

28. There will be plenty of ATM machines available during the entire course of the trip in case you need more money.

29. Lodging does not cover incidental costs, such as phone calls, mini-bar purchases, etc. If the students decide to use these services, they are responsible for paying these costs.

36. Any cancellations or withdrawals must be made in writing – via letter, fax or email – by the tour's participant to Belo Europe Travel.

37. Belo Europe Travel is not responsible for any reimbursements or change fees associated with flight or travel arrangements.

After the Trip 38. Lost & Found: all the students' items found during the trip will be sent to Belo Europe Travel´ office and kept for 60 days after the end of the trip. Any student who has lost something must send us an e-mail with the description of the item within 60 days of the end of the trip. Postage to return the item to any student is the student's responsibility.

39. Please make any comments or complaints regarding the trip in writing (via email or standard letter) to Belo Europe Travel within 30 days of the end of the trip to ensure Belo Europe Travel a chance to respond. All contracts with Belo Europe Travel officially end 30 days after the trip and Belo Europe Travel, the tour operator, is therefore relinquished of any responsibility.

Cancellation and Refund Policy 30. In case the minimum number of participants is not reached, Belo Europe Travel reserves the right to cancel the trip or to transfer the date and/or to offer other options of tours as well, according to the clients wish. If this occurs, all payments already made will be returned in full.

Operated by:

31. If the student wants to cancel the trip before it starts, he/she will pay a penalty according to the date of his/her written order to cancel the trip, read below:

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