2015 On Coach Magazine

Welcome on Board Including Traveler Stories, Helpful Tips & Important Information

Dear Friends,

Your much anticipated vacation is finally here, and we are thrilled to be your travel partner.

Over the coming days you’ll see and experience many new things.

Whether it’s an unforgettable gondola ride along the quaint canals of Venice; a lesson in bartering in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, or an exhilarating ride through breathtaking scenery aboard the Swiss Glacier Express Train, we are confident that you’ll come home with a suitcase full of amazing memories.

In the following pages we’ve included some great tips from our Travel Experts, handy conversion charts for when you’re shopping, useful phrases in French, German, Italian and Spanish, travel times from key cities and popular traveler stories from our blog (www.GETours.com/blog).

From all of us at Grand European we wish you a wonderful journey.

John A. Miller, President Grand European Travel

Travel Tips

Contents

4

Tips for Avoiding Jetlag

6

Changing Money in Europe

8

What to Order in a Viennese Coffeehouse

Vacation Guide

10

Tips & Important Information

14

Safety & Security Procedures

16

#GrandEuropean

17

Photo Contest

Traveler Stories

20

Our Trip of a Lifetime to Italy

24

Cruising the Romantic Rhine River

28

A Family Lunch in Spain

30

The Best of Ireland and Scotland

34

Grand China and the Yangtze —

A photographer’s Dream

Sustainable Tourism

38

The TreadRight Foundation

Resources

40

Useful Phrases

46

Conversion Charts

48

Journey Times

50

Notes

Travel Tips

Tips for Avoiding Jet Lag

By Liz Warner, GET Travel Specialist

E

njoy these insightful tried and tested tips for avoiding jetlag from Liz to get your vacation off to a great start.

Jet Lag is the term that describes how your body feels when you travel over multiple time zones. The most common symptoms of jet lag include tiredness during the day, inability to sleep at night, loss of appetite and irritability. It can take your body up to 24 hours to adjust for each time zone you cross, so here are a few suggestions for minimizing the effects of jet lag.

Before You Fly Try to adjust your sleeping and eating times an hour or two towards your destination. If you’re traveling west, eat and 4 Grand European Travel

sleep later in the day, if you’re traveling east do these things a bit earlier.

In order to avoid contracting an illness while flying it is a good idea to start taking a multivitamin a few days before your flight. As always, consult with your physician before taking any new supplements. Pack some sugar-free chewing gum and a saline nasal spray too, these will keep your sinuses moist and help you to avoid catching a cold.

During Your Flight Traveling to Europe involves a lengthy transatlantic flight so it is important to make it as comfortable as possible to help avoid jet lag.

• Wear loose and comfortable clothing • Leave room under the seat in front of you so you can stretch your legs • Take off your shoes while sitting.

If you’re among those whose feet

swell during flight, wear shoes you can put back on easily • Don’t cross your legs as this will cut off your circulation • After your flight takes off, adjust your watch. Try to sleep and eat according to the time of your destination

It is easy to become dehydrated while flying. One of the easiest things to do to avoid this is to drink plenty of water and juice.

Try to avoid alcohol and carbonated beverages as they can dehydrate you and make your jet lag worse.

Pressurized cabins can affect your gastro-intestinal system.

Dehydration and lack of activity can often result in post-flight constipation. To minimize the chance of experiencing irregularity avoid eating gas-producing foods before the flight, pack high fiber snacks and eat light meals on-board the plane.

Move around as much as possible to keep up your circulation. Blood clots are a serious health threat on long flights. Force yourself to get up and move around the cabin on a regular basis. If you are drinking plenty of water, this shouldn’t be a problem as you will need to get up and use the restroom regularly. It’s also a good idea to flex your legs and rotate your ankles while seated and if you have a layover spend it walking through the airport. Most airline in-flight magazines have a section detailing basic exercises that can be done easily while in your chair.

your destination. While it can be difficult to get good sleep on a plane, it is good to remember that resting with your eyes closed is 70-80% as effective as real sleep, so even a short nap will make a big difference in your recovery time. An eye mask and ear plugs can allow you to rest peacefully during the flight. Ear plugs also prevent tinnitus, the ear ringing many people experience following hours of roaring engine noise.

A neck pillow will help prevent neck pain and encourage sleep.

A neck pillow can also help keep your head from bobbing as you fall asleep. Self-adhesive heating pads provide continuous warmth to relieve back pain, stiff neck and aching shoulders.

Once You Arrive Try adjusting to local time as soon as possible. Remain active and wait for a normal bedtime before falling asleep. If you do nap only do so for 30 minutes, any longer will make your jet lag worse. If it’s daytime when you arrive at your destination, spend as much time outside as you can.

The exposure to sunlight will help your brain adjust to the new time zone. Let the adrenaline rush of being in a foreign place keep you awake until after supper time.

Having a high protein breakfast will help with alertness. Also exercise, like a brisk walk, will get your blood flowing and make you feel more awake. Exercising in the evening, a few hours before bed, will also help to tire you out so that you sleep better.

If you are taking an overnight flight you will want to try to sleep on a schedule to match Travel Tips 5

Travel Tips

Changing Money in Europe

By Ian McKinven, GET Travel Director Whether to change money ahead of a trip, or wait until you arrive in a destination is a frequently asked question by our guests. We asked long time Grand European Travel Director, Ian Mckinven for his advice, along with some practical tips about changing money and travel.

“To change, or not to change, that is the question� (my profound apologies to William Shakespeare). Here are some quick tips that might make money matters easier for you 6 Grand European Travel

when you cross the pond and embark on your European adventure.

One issue I come across regularly is the difficulty that some guests encounter when trying to change US Dollars to Euros, Pounds, or Swiss Francs.

A mere 30 years ago, Europeans would have bitten your hand off for a wad of American notes, but US currency is becoming increasingly harder to change.

Banks and post offices are very reluctant to provide this service.

Of course hotels will be only too happy to help you change your money at rates that would make even the meanest bandito blush!

Nowadays, I always recommend that my guests arm themselves

world, and/or their credit card at restaurants or retailers. Do be aware that your bank will probably make a small charge every time you withdraw cash or make a transaction. Make sure to call your bank to get an idea of how much that charge is going to be and to see if there is any limit to how much or how often you can withdraw your money.

To keep unavoidable bank fees down, plan ahead and try to make only one or two larger withdrawals as opposed to making numerous little ones to limit these transaction fees. Ensure you know your four digit pin code for your debit card before you leave home. I’ve had guests arrive with their cards unable to use them because they forget their pins.

with a debit card that draws funds directly from a checking account. I am sure you already know that it is a good idea to contact your banks or card providers ahead of your trip, to make them aware of the inevitable use of your cards.

I suggest not using your credit cards which are prohibitively expensive at cash machines.

Guests can use their debit cards at ATMs (automated teller machines) throughout the

ATMs exist in abundance throughout Europe.

The benefits of using an ATM such as convenience, ease and security make them the only way to go. No more fretting about how you are going to pay for your next gelato!

Just bring a few Euros to get started, then let your Travel Director point you in the right direction. Have a super trip!

Travel Tips 7

Travel Tips

What to Order in a Viennese Coffeehouse

By Frank Looze, GET Travel Director With Central Europe being such a popular destination, Grand European Travel Director Frank Looze shares his knowledge of Viennese coffeehouses including some of his favorite cafes and recommendations for enjoying this unique part of Austria’s cultural heritage.

If you are traveling to Vienna this year, or it’s on your bucket list of future “must-see” destinations, check out some of Frank’s favorite spots, then be sure to tell us your stories when you return home!

8 Grand European Travel

Coffee is an Arabian invention.

The first cafes opened in the early 16th century in cities like Cairo and Aleppo. However, it was in Europe – especially Vienna – where the coffeehouse came into full bloom. In 1685 Greek-Armenian merchant, Johannes Theodat, founded the first coffeehouse in Vienna.

The Viennese added milk and sugar to soften the taste of the strong Turkish coffee. Viennese coffeehouses soon became places where you could freely exchange ideas and enjoy thoughtful conversations over a cup of coffee – a tradition still enjoyed today.

Caffeine sharpens the wit and revives the spirit. Maybe that’s why by the end of the 19th century a generation of scientists, writers and artists like Gustav Klimt and Joseph Roth frequented coffeehouses. Stefan Zweig wrote his famous mem-

oirs at the elegant Hotel Sacher in Salzburg. Perhaps that’s why philosopher George Steiner noted that, “the coffeehouse is one of the main components of the European identity”.

Some of my favorite coffeehouses include Café Pruckel where musicians play piano music in the evening; and the elegant Landtmann where Freud used to drink his coffee and café Demel where you can enjoy a delicious Apfelstrudl. There’s also the Hotel Sacher – home to one of the best pastries in the world, the Sacher Torte (cake).

Like Viennese coffee, the Sacher Torte has an interesting history all its own. It was created by Franz Sacher, who in 1830 – at the age of 14 – joined the kitchen brigade of the prince of Metternich, a famous diplomat of the time. One day, the kitchen’s chef fell ill. Franz replaced the Maestro and created his own dessert for the prince.

He combined dark chocolate, vanilla, apricot jam with some whipped cream and “voila!” The Sacher Torte was born.

If you visit a coffeehouse be sure to peruse the expansive menus – some feature over 30 coffee variations including Mokka (strong black coffee), Melange (regular coffee with warm milk and lots of foam), Brauner (black coffee with milk), Einspanner (black coffee with whipped cream and powder sugar), Fiaker (strong coffee with rum or brandy), Maria Theresa (a double Mokka with apple liquor, whipped cream and flakes of chocolate) or Ice Coffee (cold coffee with vanilla, whipped cream and chocolate flakes). For those a little less adventurous, there is also the familiar espresso or cappuccino.

Besides coffee and pastries, most Vienna coffeehouses offer small dishes, salads or sausages.

Once you’ve ordered your coffee, fully immerse yourself in Vienna’s coffeehouse culture by sitting back and maybe reading a newspaper or engaging a travel companion in a lively debate.

By doing so you’ll quickly discover why Viennese Coffeehouse culture is listed as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Travel Tips 9

Vacation Guide

Tips & Important Information Your Travel Director Grand European Travel Directors have been chosen for the qualities that enable them to make your trip a richer experience. Their knowledge ensures you will be in the midst of the action day in and day out. They will add cultural and historical footnotes along the way. At the same time, your individuality will be respected and enough free time has been planned to allow you to explore on your own and follow your own personal interests. Guests are encouraged to talk to the Travel Director straight away if something is not right, so any problems can be rectified there and then, and you can continue to enjoy your vacation.

10 Grand European Travel

Your Coach Driver Your Coach Driver works in close cooperation with your Travel Director and is fully trained and tested on European roads. Their responsibilities include loading and unloading luggage, the vehicle’s safety inspection, its cleanliness and most importantly, your safety.

Your Motorcoach Modern, air-conditioned coaches have been carefully selected by Grand European Travel with your comfort, safety and scenic viewing in mind.Your Travel Director will explain all the safety features of your motorcoach at the beginning of your trip. A mandatory seat rotation schedule will be explained by your Travel Director. For the comfort of all guests, Grand European Travel

Personal Hotel Expenses Any additional costs incurred during your stay at the hotels (for example, laundry, telephone calls and mini-bar bills) are your responsibility. Please make certain that your account is settled on the evening before departure to ensure a smooth and speedy check-out the following morning.

enforces a no-alcohol and no-smoking policy. For emergencies the coach is equipped with a washroom.

First Aid Please note that antiseptic, bandages and other everyday over the counter medications such as aspirin are not carried on the coach.Your Travel Director will be able to advise you on where to purchase these items if needed.

Hotel Check-In and Check-Out Arrangements are made to ensure that check-in and checkout procedures at hotels run smoothly, and your Travel Director will advise you in advance before arriving at each hotel.

All room allocations are done by the hotel prior to arrival.

On departing the hotel, always remember to return your room key to the front desk before boarding the coach.

Drinks Unless specified, these are always at your own expense.

Always remember to drink enough water to avoid dehydration, especially in hot climates.

In some European cafes/bars you pay one price to drink at the bar, and a higher price to sit at a table. Alcoholic drinks can be much more expensive if purchased in hotel bars.

Minibars: Some hotel rooms have small refrigerators stocked with drinks and ice, but check the price list before consuming as they can be expensive.You may be asked to pay a refundable deposit for the key.

Meals Breakfast: Daily breakfasts following local traditions are included. On Britain and Ireland vacations you will enjoy a full cooked breakfast. In Scandinavia and mainland Europe, you’ll enjoy a buffet style breakfast.

(On very early departures a breakfast box may be provided).

Please do not take food away from the dining rooms — this is not permitted and you may be charged if you do.

Lunch: People have varying requirements at lunchtime, so lunch is usually not included. On

Vacation Guide – Tips & Important Information 11

traveling days, snack/meal stops are made where clients have a choice of food and where there are sufficient facilities to cater for groups. Restaurants which can serve groups efficiently and speedily are not easy to find off the “beaten track,” so other travel companies will inevitably be using the same venues.Your Travel Director’s choice of meal stops will always be made by taking all factors of the day’s planning into account, and it may not be possible to please everyone all the time.

Dinner: Dinner is included on most traveling days. It is not easy for hotels to cater for a wide variety of individual preferences and most offer recognized international food. For guests with more adven­turous tastes, you will have a number of opportunities to sample local specialties when dinners are not included.

Special Dietary Requirements: It is important to discuss any special dietary requirements with your Travel Director at the beginning of the trip, as hotels and restaurants need to be advised in advance.

12 Grand European Travel

Most places will do their best to provide an alternative to the included menu. However, such requests can­not be guaranteed on every occasion.

Optional Experiences Since every guest has different interests and priorities, it is neither possible nor desirable to include every excursion in the itinerary. Some will look for shopping time, others want to visit more historic monuments, some want relaxing evenings and others want a more varied nightlife. Therefore, we have included in your itinerary many visits and activities to enhance your experience, we offer a range of optional visits, activities and local meals available throughout your trip. Optional Experiences can be booked through your Travel Director at the beginning of your trip.

Please note that optional experiences and prices may vary due to seasonal conditions and minimum passenger participation, and are subject to change without notice.

Holidays and Changes During local or national holidays, certain facilities such as scheduled meals, sightseeing, other included activities and shopping may be limited, so we sometimes have to make slight itinerary adjustments.

Shipping If you plan to purchase heavy items, we would recommend that you have them shipped to your home address, as airline charges are high for excess baggage. This can either be arranged by the shop where you make your purchases, or you can make up a parcel and ship it home.

Remember: 1. Goods may take several months to reach your home.

2. You will be liable for import duty on all goods shipped to your home — personal duty-free allowances are only allowed on goods carried home personally.

3. You are highly recommended to insure goods being shipped in case of breakage or non-arrival.

Shopping There will be opportunities for shopping in most countries you visit.Your Travel Director will guide you as to where you can buy quality goods, but he/she cannot guarantee to find you the lowest price. If you make any purchases by credit card, you may be charged based on the exchange rate at the time the credit card company invoices your account and many banks charge an exchange fee. Various tax concessions and duty-free

shopping may be available to overseas visitors; however, it varies depending on the amount spent and you must present documentation (passport and/ or visa) that you are a foreign national or non-resident.Your Travel Director will be pleased to assist with information, but Grand European Travel cannot be responsible for any subsequent queries.

Tipping on Your Vacation In Europe, it is customary to tip for a variety of services. As a guide, if the service was of good quality, a restaurant is usually tipped 15% of the total bill.

Your Travel Director can answer any questions you may have regarding when and how much to tip. Many passengers also ask for guidance on the amount to tip your Travel Director and Driver to express your satisfaction with the service received.

The recommended amounts per person per day are: Europe Travel Director: €5.00 Driver: €3.00 Local Guide: €2 per half day tour UK Travel Director: £4.00 Driver: £2.50 Local Guide: £1 per half day tour

Vacation Guide – Tips & Important Information 13

Safety & Security Procedures for Your Journey

ON THE COACH Always use the seat-belts where provided

Remain seated while the coach is moving

Keep aisles and exits clear and ensure no heavy luggage is stored in overhead racks Check location of the emergency exit(s) and equipment Check the traffic direction before exiting the coach Never leave any valuable items on the coach or in the hotel

CARE FOR YOUR BELONGINGS Keep your luggage locked and close to hand in public places Take extra care of money, valuables, passport, credit cards and travel documents

14 Grand European Travel

In the interest of your safety and security during your vacation, we ask you to please take note of the following advice:

IN THE HOTEL Ensure room door is locked and always leave valuables in the hotel safe Ensure that you close all the windows when you leave your room Take special care of your valuables in public areas and hotel breakfast rooms Take note of the emergency exit route from your room in case of fire Take note of where to assemble in case of a fire or emergency Take note of where the nearest fire alarm to your room is located

Beware of pickpockets, especially in crowds and in cities Be vigilant of your wallet/purse in shops and after visiting banks

Vacation Guide – Tips & Important Information 15

Become Part of our Community #GrandEuropean Facebook.com/GrandEuropeanTravel Share photos from your trip with your friends , family and the GET community any time – from anywhere and use the hashtag #GrandEuropean @GrandEuropean Tweet a thought or picture instantly from your trip and tag it #GrandEuropean pinterest.com/GrandEuropean Encourage others to experience the joy of travel by adding photos from your trip to your board. Don’t forget to include #GrandEuropean GETours.com/blog Visit our blog for travel tips, traveler stories, recipes and more!

16 Grand European Travel

Enter our Photo Contest PRIZES 1ST PLACE: $1,000 GET Travel Certificate 2ND PLACE: $500 GET Travel Certificate 3RD PLACE: $250 GET Travel Certificate Share your best photos with us for a chance to win a $1,000 travel certificate towards your next Grand European vacation. Breathtaking landscape, favorite site or landmark or silly snap­shot, we want to see the world through your eyes. Your photos inspire us, as well as others to travel and explore the world.

All entries have the chance to appear in our future advertising promotions so be sure to send a brief description of the picture along with your entry.

Entries due by December 31, 2015 and winners will be announced on February 26, 2016.

Please submit all images on a CD (no printed photographs).

• Be sure that there are no time/date stamps on the pictures.

• Include a brief description of the photo content such as the place, names of the individuals shown, the trip name and departure date submitted on a separate piece of paper.

• Entries should be sent to: Photo Contest Grand European Travel 6000 Meadows Road, Suite 520 Lake Oswego, OR 97035 • Don’t forget to include your name, address and contact telephone number with your entry so that we will be able to contact you should you win.

Please Note: Due to large number of entrants, Grand European Travel is unable to acknowledge receipt of any entries, or return them after the contest is completed. Eligible entrants are limited to U.S. residents 18 years of age or older. By submitting your photos, you are agreeing that the photo(s) are your original work and do not infringe the intellectual property rights of any party. By entering this contest you are allowing Grand European Travel the right to publish any/all photos submitted for unrestricted promotional use. Such use will be at the discretion of Grand European Travel and copyright of any material, whether used or not, will remain the property of Grand European Travel. The selection of the winner will be by the sole discretion and manner of Grand European Travel’s choosing.

Join Our Community 17

Traveler Stories

H

ow many times have you listened to a friend share a travel story and been inspired to pack a bag for your own adventure? As you think about your travel plans for the year ahead, whet your appetite with a few first-hand reviews from our returning Guests.

Tom shares highlights from his Grand Italia adventure; his first international trip and the perfect start to his wife’s retirement from teaching. Journey along the scenic Rhine as you read Dale’s tale on River Cruising; a new experience for him and one he’s sure to repeat.

Read about Jake’s most memorable experience from his recent trip to Spain – a home hosted dinner he’ll never forget 18 Grand European Travel

in the tiny village of Alfarnatejo, a guest of Maria-Carmen.

Find out why Helen, our 2013 Photo Contest 2nd place runner up found China to be a photographer’s paradise. And join one of our younger guests, Nicole, as she travels with her grandmother through Ireland and Scotland, celebrating her 22nd birthday along the way.

We hope these stories inspire you to explore new places.

Venice, Italy

“ Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

– Mark Twain Traveler Stories 19

Traveler Stories Our Trip of a Lifetime to Italy

By Tom, GET Guest

Grand European Travel Guest Tom and his wife share highlights from their recent Grand Italia Guided Vacation including dancing in the hills of Sorrento and a special visit to Assisi.

A

well-deserved retirement is definitely something to celebrate. And though we often discussed where we would go after my wife’s upcoming retirement as a Massachusetts high school guidance counselor, we could never resolve the when, where, or how. Finally, we decided it was time to search in earnest for the perfect trip and realized it had always been to our #1 dream destination — Italy.

Since neither of us had the opportunity to experience international travel, we felt that an escorted tour would be exactly the right option for us. Selecting the “Grand Italia” itinerary ensured all the travel logistics would be handled and enable us to totally enjoy the experience.

Venice, Italy

20 Grand European Travel

We had never been on a tour like this and admit we were a bit nervous. As first glimpses of the Roman Aqueduct and ancient ruins came into view as we left the Rome airport and our knowledgeable travel director,

Roman Forum, Rome

Riccardo, explained their proud history, we found our apprehension quickly disappearing.

It wasn’t long after we came together in our hotel, the Dei Borgia, as a group with Riccardo, that we felt a bond with our 24 other travelers.

After a pleasant dinner at the hotel, we had a quick evening tour of some of Rome’s stunning highlights. Riccardo enthusiastically pointed out architecture and statuary, while offering tips on money exchange and touring.

His best piece of advice was take time to enjoy the sights, focus on the rich history, enjoy ourselves and each other. He urged us not to worry about getting the perfect photo of the Circus Maximus; rather take in the experience of standing before ancient remnants of the first Rome. We listened with fascination to the story of Romulus and Remus, wondering still if it was fact or myth. I admit we were also envious when we heard that the Rolling Stones recently held

a concert, attended by 200,000 people, just below where we were standing!

The next day we were off toVatican City and thanks to our tour, were able to skirt the already massive admission lines. A local guide walked us through the Sistine Chapel, and through the Vatican museum. We marveled at the amazing Pantheon, pagan temple of Emperor Hadrian.

The fact that they still close the 40-foot high solid brass doors every night is testament to the endurance of the Roman Empire and the treasures they left behind. We were awe-struck and fascinated by it all.

Bidding Rome ‘arrivederci’, we headed to Pompeii on our way to Sorrento. Getting a glimpse into life in Pompeii 2000 years ago, so well preserved, was remarkable. Our lodging in Sorrento was directly on the Bay of Naples with a view of Mount Vesuvius. We found the city of Sorrento to be one of alleyways Traveler Stories 21

and byways, but the best part of the city were the experiences with the locals. We especially enjoyed dinner in San Agata at a small family owned establishment. Along with fabulous entertainment, I was able to dance with my wife high in the Sorrento hills – a memory I will never forget.

During our stay in Sorrento, we opted for two different excursions which we highly recommend, the first being the isle of Capri. Clear, aqua waters sparkled as we glided on a boat tour around the island. As we passed through the rock formation made famous by a James Bond movie, I felt like a movie star just being in this fantastic location.The funicular, a tram that transports people back and forth, brought us to the top of Capri where we meandered through beautiful shops and gardens.

The Amalfi Coast’s truly breathtaking vertical drop seemed almost impossible to negotiate. In fact, its immensity was so awe-inspiring we still had thoughts of it as we returned to Sorrento that evening for dinner with a local family. Like our host, Pasquale, his entire family lives and works on his land, and the heavenly dinner they served was a true garden to table experience atop the hills of Sorrento!

As an animal lover, the next stop on our travel itinerary was one I had looked forward to 22 Grand European Travel

for a very long time, since St. Francis of Assisi holds a special place in my heart and life. An exquisitely beautiful location set upon a hill, our tour group, and I were able to attend Mass and visit St. Francis’ tomb. Departing Assisi through the Appenine Mountains, we traveled into the flatlands of The Po Valley where it seems most pastas originated.

Continuing toward Venice, our day’s destination, we had lunch in Bologna, lovingly dubbed the cuisine capital of Italy.

Our two days in Venice were stuffed with adventure; getting lost in the Rialto, the Doges Palace, San Marco Square and of course, a romantic gondola ride.

Next stop was Lake Maggiore but there was so much we had the opportunity to see on the way! In Verona we visited the house of Capulet, standing beneath Juliet’s balcony. We walked the beautiful streets, barely noticing a light rain as we took in the sights. Heading to lunch across from the Colosseum, we noticed it was preparing to host an opera. In fact, the Colosseum, continues to be utilized as a venue for many outdoor musical events.

Arriving at the foot of the Alps in the Lago area, we toured Isola Bella, a summer residence of the Borromeo family, by boat.

The rooms and gardens were exquisite, made even more interesting by the stories shared by our knowledgeable local tour guide. Spending two nights in a lovely hotel in the small town of Baveno, 15 miles from the Swiss border, my wife and I were inspired to try an excursion to the city of Milan. Totally worth dragging ourselves away from comfortable Baveno, we marveled at this city of beauty, politics and culture.

When we arrived in Florence, the magnificence of the city was immediately apparent. The incandescent colors and stately domes indicated that we were in for an extraordinary experience. An early evening walk with our tour director, Riccardo, brought us through parts of the city where Michaelangelo is buried, and the house in which Leonardo DaVinci may have painted the Mona Lisa.

We meandered to the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest covered bridge with its many shops, street performers and gold merchants and along the Arno River, always abuzz with activity. A local guide showed us through the Academy Museum, which holds Michaelangelo’s famous David. I did not expect that I could be overwhelmed with one more piece of art — but I was wrong. David’s beauty brought tears to my eyes.

We boarded a boat for La Spezia early the next day

which would bring us to the Cinque Terre. Mesmerized by the beauty of the steep rugged coast, we stopped along the way for lunch while enjoying views of the beautiful beaches. Taking the train back to La Spezia, we praised Riccardo for his excellent planning and attention to detail, having worked diligently to provide us with every possible Italian experience. “The man with the yellow hat” as Riccardo became known to by our group, handled all the logistics seamlessly as we moved from location to location. Satiated by our splendid day, we returned to Florence for our last night in this region before heading back to Rome.

Making a quick detour in Sienna, we had one last order of gelato and cappuccino — and they never tasted so good!

Our final Roman dinner was a wonderful 7-course meal and it came complete with the beautiful operatic voice of a young woman who serenaded us.

We toasted Riccardo and our driver Archangelo — as well as each other — in a bittersweet farewell. This trip exceeded all of our expectations. My wife and I are hooked. The only dilemma now is where to go next – Spain, France?

Traveler Stories 23

Traveler Stories Cruising the Romantic Rhine River

By Dale, GET Guest

If you’ve ever wondered what a river cruise is like, Dale’s review from his recent Castles Along the Rhine River Cruise will reveal why river cruising has become such a popular choice for many GET guests.

Get inspired as you follow Dale’s journey along Germany’s most romantic river.

T

here are times when a spurof-the-moment decision turns out just fine. That was certainly the case for my wife and I when we decided one evening over a glass of wine to look into the possibility of taking a river cruise in Europe.

Since we had greatly enjoyed the “Great Trains of Europe” tour with Grand European in 2007, we immediately went back to GET’s web site to see what might suit our schedule and budget. The “Castles Along the Rhine” river cruise seemed like just what we were looking for.

Several months later we found ourselves sitting in the Munich airport looking out at a foggy morning after an overnight crossing of the Atlantic, and awaiting our connecting flight to Basel. Upon arrival in Basel we were greeted by two representatives of Uniworld, GET’s sister company for river cruises and were transported by van to the S.S. Antoinette in Breisach.

Riquewihr

24 Grand European Travel

Castles Along the Rhine River

The Antoinette is a new ship, built in 2012. It is beautifully appointed, from the reception area with its sapphire-adorned chandelier that formerly hung in the Tavern on the Green in New York, to the all-marble bathrooms in the staterooms.

The Grand Trianon Lounge, the dining room, even the swimming pool are all exquisitely decorated and furnished. One of the advantages of a cruise of any type is the ability to unpack and not have to worry about re-packing until the last day of the vacation. The Antoinette provided plenty of storage space for our clothing and luggage. The housekeeping staff were attentive, efficient and thorough. And the picture window in our cabin was a delightful touch, with its ability to silently lower to half the total height allowing fresh breezes and an unobstructed view of the passing scene.

The first major event was, of course, a greeting from the captain and a briefing from Cruise

Manager, Tony. We were soon to find that having Tony as our cruise manager was one of the best parts of the trip. He was always available, always ready and willing to answer questions, and carried out his responsibilities with both aplomb and good humor. We were given an overview of the cruise and of the included and available walking and bus tours along the way; and the obligatory safety drill.

Our first opportunity to see the countryside came in the form of a short bus ride to two small French towns along the Alsatian wine road, Riquewihr and Kaisersberg. Other passengers chose a walking tour of Colmar or a self-guided walk through Breisach. Riquewihr and Kaisersberg are classic, picturesque villages with brightly colored half-timber houses towering above narrow streets lined with shops that cater to the tourist’s every want, but without the gaudy, in-yourface presence that one might expect of a tourist town.

Traveler Stories 25

After moving from Breisach to Strasbourg overnight, we spent the morning in a canal boat in Strasbourg. This part of the trip takes in everything from 15th and 16th century dwellings

I must mention the dining experience aboard the Antoinette. One thing that struck us was that there were no twoperson tables.That means that even those who may be reticent to strike up new Confluence of the Rhine, Moselle and Koblenz acquaintances are, in essence, encouraged to do so.We had a favorite table served by our favorite waiter, Ladislav, from the Czech Republic.

(Let me say here that the multi-national to 21st century buildings that crew members, house the European Parliament all fluent in English, were a and the ARK TV network. true delight.) This table seated It passes under picturesque eight, and was full almost every bridges and through a lock evening. During our cruise into a quiet lagoon surrounded we ate with a farming couple by half-timbered houses. We from North Dakota, a nurse then walked to Notre Dame administrator, several school Cathedral in the city center and teachers from California, a shared a table at an outdoor plastic surgeon and his wife from café with other travelers. In the Pittsburgh, a psychotherapist afternoon my wife stayed in from Kansas City, and a retired Strasbourg, while I departed for power company technician and the optional Black Forest tour. his wife from the West Coast, While she spent the afternoon among others.Whereas lunch sipping wine on the sundeck of was always a lavish buffet-style the Antoinette, I saw the Black affair, dinner was more formal Forest, had a traditional German (although with a wide range lunch of Black Forest ham, of attire being worn, none of cheeses, salad and, available to which was truly “formal wear”). those so inclined, some good The menu and wine selections German beers. The countryside for the evening were presented is absolutely beautiful, with with commentary – and sweeping valleys and vistas, as recommendations – by the well as stretches of winding waiter assigned to each table. roadway overshadowed by tall Service was prompt and efficient, evergreens. Afternoon visits to a the meals themselves examples cuckoo clock manufactory and of the finest in culinary art, from shop and an outdoor museum of escargot to baked Alaska.There local culture topped off the day. was not a meal that we did not thoroughly enjoy at every course.

26 Grand European Travel

Throughout the cruise we took advantage of the locally guided tours, including an excursion to a vinegar tasting at an estate that specializes in vinegars made from fine wines; a wine tasting at a castle surrounded by vineyards; an aerial tram ride to a hilltop fortress in Koblenz; and a walking tour of Cologne, including a visit to the magnificent cathedral there. Others took advantage of optional trips to Heidelberg and to Marksburg Castle in Braubachis. To their credit, Uniworld arranged, at each stop where a walking tour was offered, a special “gentle walkers” tour for those of us of a certain age and with mobility problems. I was surprised at how many people much younger than we took advantage of those special tours as the week progressed.

True to its name, the highlight of this cruise was the portion that took us along the stretch of the Rhine where castles abound. We had been told by cruise manager Tony that we would see “Castle on the right. Castle on the left.

Castle on the right…” We were not disappointed. The entire cadre of 140 passengers spread out across the Antoinette’s sundeck, some reclining in lounge chairs, wrapped in blankets against a slight October chill, others standing at the rail, cameras of all descriptions in hand, and all fascinated by the seem-

ingly never-ending stream of castles atop the riverside hills, as well as the autumn coloration creeping into the trees.

The final leg of the cruise, from Cologne to Amsterdam, brought a wide variety of scenery. We saw power-generating plants, vintage church steeples, modern bridges, local residents flying gigantic, colorful kites on a breezy Sunday afternoon, highrise radio/TV towers, horses grazing along the riverbank, fisherman and riverside campers, and watercraft of all types – a sternwheeler, jet ski, barges, houseboats, small sailboats, even a scull being rowed by an energetic crew.

One more note. This was a gratuities-included cruise. We heard several guests comment that it was a great relief not having to worry about “when, for what, to whom, and how much.” And we agree.

How to sum up such a wonderful experience as we had during our “Castles along the Rhine” cruise? Well, my wife of 52 years has already begun talking about another “one last big trip.”

Perhaps the Danube this time?

Traveler Stories 27

Traveler Stories The Simple Things: A Family Lunch in Spain

By Jake Messimer, GET Business Development Manager

Many GET guests recognize Jake from our national Travel Shows, where he regularly shares first-hand accounts of what he calls his “special, most memorable moments” from his travels. Find out a little more about Jake, hear about his recent experience on our Spain, Morocco & Portugal Guided Vacation and perhaps his words will inspire you to add lunch with Maria-Carmen to your travel “to-do” list.

28 Grand European Travel

I

’ve been very fortunate to have seen some of the world’s great sights: The Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera house, the view from Mt. Pilatus in Switzerland; the list goes on.

These mighty and powerful places are truly awe-inspiring and I’m left with a feeling of wonder and achievement and have to ask, “How on earth did I get here?”

As much as I love seeing the great travel icons of the world, perhaps my favorite parts of traveling are often the simplest, the quietest. Some that are top of mind include sharing a crusty loaf of bread and a hunk of Parmesan cheese with my Mom, Dad and Brother while dodging a rainstorm along the canals of Venice; tasting homemade schnapps at a centuries old farm house outside Lucerne and meeting the man responsible for lowering a flag at dusk in the ruins of an ancient castle in Croatia.

My most recent “moment” was on our Spain, Morocco & Portugal Guided Vacation. We had left

Lunch with Maria-Carmen

Granada (spectacular!) and were heading south for a leisurely three night stay in Torremolinos.

After a rest stop, our driver Jose steered the motorcoach off the main highway onto a steep mountain road.

After a few miles of spectacular mountain scenery, we pulled into the little town of Alfarnate where we were met by a local lady named Helen. Helen walked us to the village olive press where we enjoyed a private tasting of the locally produced olive oil as she explained the process of harvesting the olives and making the oils. We hopped back on the coach and drove deeper into the valley, reaching our highlight destination, the even smaller village of Alfarnatejo!

We were warmly greeted like old friends as we arrived at the home of our host, Maria-Carmen, and while we sat around an old wooden table in her simple kitchen getting to know more about her family and each other, Maria-Carmen worked her culinary magic before our

very eyes. What followed was a truly memorable experience for my taste buds! Fresh salad made with veggies freshly picked from her garden with homemade dressing, a plate of good cheese and local ham, and a delicious main course of stewed pork.

A gentleman in my group took his first bite of pork, closed his eyes, set down his fork and said, “This reminds me of my grandmother’s cooking when I was growing up in Detroit.” Maybe the wine had something to do with it, but I think we all got a little misty-eyed. After a generous portion of dessert, coffee, more wine, and more good conversation, we said goodbyes to Maria-Carmen and her family, and headed down the mountain, back to “big-city” Spain.

We saw some amazing things on our trips including Gibraltar, Toledo and the monuments of Madrid. But I’ll bet that that simple meal in Maria-Carmen’s kitchen was a particular highlight for each and every one of us, especially for me.

Traveler Stories 29

Traveler Stories The Best of Ireland and Scotland

By Nicole, GET Guest

Discovering new places and experiencing different customs and traditions is rich and rewarding. Add into the mix traveling with friends and family and you’ve created the perfect equation for creating lasting, meaningful -memories.

Grand European guest, Nicole, and her grandmother recently returned from the “Best of Ireland and Scotland” where Nicole celebrated her 22nd birthday.

Venice, Italy

Giant’s Causeway

30 Grand European Travel

I

took my first major trip to Germany when I was 16 through an educational tour group with my cousin and her German language class. It was on that trip I realized my passion for travel and learning about other cultures, and there hasn’t been a single year since that I haven’t traveled somewhere. I have been fortunate enough to see many places including London, Italy, Cayman Islands, Grand Bahama, Dominican Republic, Hawaii and most recently, Ireland and Scotland with Grand European.

My grandmother and I decided to take this trip to celebrate my graduation from Texas State and my 22nd birthday.

Ireland and Scotland were the last two countries I had not yet visited from my heritage (the others being Italy, Germany and England). I have been on 4

Temple Bar, Dublin

trips so far with her and we are excellent travel companions! We stay in the same room, do excursions together and thankfully, we both enjoy learning about other cultures and don’t have conflicts in choosing where to go or what to do. She warned me there might not be anyone my age on the trip, but I didn’t care; as long as I am traveling, I am happy! We were surprised and pleased to see three other people in their 20s when we met up with the group. I believe there were about 29 people with a good representation from each age group.

We arrived in Dublin with enough time to have our first Irish beers in a pub at the airport. A representative of Grand European happily greeted and directed us to our bus and we were off to our first hotel! Our wonderful travel director, Rory,

gave us directions into town for exploring; it’s a beautiful 15 minute walk to the center of town. The following day started with a guided bus tour of Dublin and a walk through Trinity College, which houses the Book of Kells. The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring Dublin and we ended the day with an Irish Cabaret show! It was so much fun, filled with Riverdance, comedy, and traditional Irish musical instruments.

Each morning everyone has the opportunity to have breakfast at the hotel and we load up the bus between 7 and 9, depending on the schedule for the day. We met our driver for the rest of the trip, Tom, and stopped in Kildare at the Irish National Stud Farm, followed by a tour of Waterford Crystal in Waterford.

We ended the day in the cute little town of Cork, where I Traveler Stories 31

celebrated my birthday early in their many pubs on Plunkett (which seems to be the street for pubs in almost every town we stopped). The locals were friendly and full of character and there was live music everywhere; I loved it!

The morning of my 22nd birthday we were on to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and gain the gift of eloquence, or the gift of gab but I’ll leave it to you to decide which you end up with. In the town of Killarney we took a ride on a jaunting car; when the drive, or ‘Jarvie,’ found out it was my birthday he let me drive. At dinner that night, Tom and Rory surprised me with a birthday cake and chocolates!

The Ring of Kerry took most of the next day to drive around and was full of stunning views from cliff sides and lakes to rolling hills and the Black Mountains. Over the next few days we made our way through Limerick, Galway, Connemara and Sligo before driving into Northern Ireland.

The Londonderry tour was eye-opening and absolutely amazing; it gave everyone a different perspective on the conflicts in Northern Ireland.

Several people commented they 32 Grand European Travel

had previously associated people in that area with radicals or even terrorists, but all changed their minds after what we learned that day.

Londonderry/ Derry is a town full of culture, history and beautiful architecture that is well worth seeing.

Then it was off to the Giant’s Causeway, one of the most famous sites of Ireland (technically Northern Ireland).

There are several paths to walk or hike but an audio guided tour is provided for you to see the most famous parts of the causeway.

The next day we took the ferry to Scotland, drove through Alloway with Robert Burns’ birthplace and the Brig’O’Doon, before continuing on to Glasgow. There’s an interesting statue in the center

of Glasgow that always seems to have traffic cones on its head; Rory said the police take them down but locals keep putting them back on! There is an opportunity to take a boat ride on Loch Lomond and I highly recommend it; there is some wonderful scenery and plenty of opportunities for photos.

We later drove along Loch Ness but unfortunately I didn’t see Nessie, oh well! We ended the day with a tour of Ben Nevis Whisky Distillery, which was very interesting but I’m not very fond of whisky and didn’t much like the tasting (plenty others did).

Edinburgh was our last stop; we spent it exploring the famous Royal Mile, filled with local

shops, and Edinburgh Castle which houses the Royal Jewels.

There was an opportunity to have a traditional Scottish meal and show; I tried the haggis and it was surprisingly not bad! Our farewell dinner was in a beautiful spot about half an hour from town in view of the famous Forth Bridge. It was a bittersweet ending to a wonderful trip with equally as wonderful people.

My grandmother and I could not have asked for a better travel director or driver; Rory and Tom went above and beyond. The next trip I take with Grand European would be that much better if I could take it with them again. From the accommodations and meals to excursions and guided tours, it was all fabulous and something I would definitely repeat!

Irish Cabaret

Traveler Stories 33

Traveler Stories Grand China and the Yangtze — a Photographers Dream

By Helen, GET Guest and Group Leader

There’s a reason why we coin the phrase “a picture is worth 1,000 words”. Nothing quite tells a story like a photograph. GET guest, Helen, was the second place runner up in our 2013 photo contest. In this article she shares her thoughts on what makes China such a great destination for photographers and shares some of her favorite pictures from her recent Grand China and the Yangtze River Cruise.

34 Grand European Travel

M

y husband and I live in a small town about 60 miles from Dallas. The small town atmosphere gives us opportunities to acquire a large group of friends, many of whom love to travel. In the beginning, I did all the planning, booking, and arranging. Our first trip with GET was the Unforgettable Spain & Portugal Guided Vacation. Sixteen travelers com-

Florence, Italy

posed our group for this trip. We all LOVED the trip. It was then that I realized the advantage of locating an excellent tour company and letting them work out the details.

For our Grand China & the Yangtze trip, I was the group leader for 12 friends. The 19 day trip required our being away from our families longer than usual, however we decided we wanted a comprehensive once in a lifetime trip to China in which we would see as

much of the country, culture, and traces of history as possible. That is exactly what we got in this fabulous trip and more than we could have ever imagined. At the tour’s end, our guide asked each one of us to tell the group our expectations and motives for making this journey. Of course, we each had individual responses. My response was for the photographic opportunities, which turned out to be much more than expected.

Traveler Stories 35

Upon arriving home, I turned my 2,500 shots into four photo albums of pictures which clearly tell the story of our adventure.

One book is devoted to the people of China, their faces and lifestyles, another is devoted to Chinese architecture, old and new, another tells the story of our trip in the order that it happened and includes photos of our group members experienc-

36 Grand European Travel

ing China and the last book contains photographs entirely of Dragon Valley.

Dragon Valley is a dream location, unbelievably pristine, which lies off the Yangtze River.

Our boat docked at the headwaters of the valley, allowing us to explore this gentle place.

We were told that an ancient people, known for their musical talents, lived here and never

wanted to leave. China allows them to stay in their homes.

They have become an image of a long ago time. Dressed in Chinese silks, they pepper the valley with their presence, welcoming tourists. They sing and play ancient instruments along the walkway, which leads deep into the valley. The valley is rimmed with jagged limestone cliffs and covered heavily with bamboo and undergrowth, which drapes gracefully over the path and leads to a 300 step climb to discover a waterfall, cutting into the skyline. En route, visitors spy wild monkeys in the rocks and trees. Below the path is a turquoise stream so clear that it is possible to spy fish swimming beneath its surface. In this hushed spot, it is impossible to take a bad camera shot. In other words it’s a photographer’s dream.

that turned out to be amazing opportunities to capture memories: the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Soldiers of Xian, the ancient Ming gardens of Suzhou, the skyline of Shanghai, the night lights of Shanghai, the medieval water village of Tongli, Beijing’s Red Theater & the Legend of Kung Fu, Xian’s Chinese Opera House, the beautiful mist covered Li & Yangtze rivers, the Reed Flute Cave, the endangered Panda Zoo, the Chinese pearl market, the Aberdeen Fishing Village and Hong Kong with its Victoria Peak. China placed no restrictions upon when and where we could use our cameras. Anyone who enjoys photography as a hobby would benefit from this amazing trip of a lifetime.

The many places we visited invited you to take photographs Traveler Stories 37

Sustainable Tourism

A

t Grand European Travel and parent company The Travel Corporation, we understand that travel matters; it allows us to explore the world and gain a deeper understanding of each destination, its history and culture, through enriching experiences. We also recognize that it is our responsibility to help protect the places we visit and take care of the world around us.

DRIVEN BY SERVICE

Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-forprofit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant and preserved for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has donated more than US $2.5 million to sustainable tourism projects worldwide. Grand European Travel is proud to be 38 Grand European Travel

a founder and active supporter of TreadRight’s projects and initiatives.

TreadRight’s guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities.We encourage each of our partners to use this principle to guide all of their actions, whether at our regional offices or when taking guests around the world. By providing grants to organizations that encourage sustainability in different destinations, we hope to maintain the natural attractions across the world that define each unique region. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders like Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ.

To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org

TRAVEL LIGHTLY

Coach travel has been proven to reduce congestion and cause less pollution per passenger mile than any other transportation option.

Vernazza - Cinque Terre, Italy

TIPS TO HELP YOU TREAD LIGHTER ON YOUR TRIP Reduce Energy Use in Your Hotel Room You can make a difference by turning down the heating or air-conditioning by just one degree. By switching the TV off stand-by you can reduce its energy consumption by 25 per cent. Always remember to switch off appliances whenever you leave the room.

Reduce Your Laundry Laundry consumes almost 40 per cent of the average hotel’s energy for hot water. Be willing to use your towels and sheets for more than one day and help hotels reduce their energy use by at least five per cent.

Use Your Own Toiletries A lot of energy goes into the production of the miniature soaps and shampoos available in hotel bathrooms which then contribute to thousands of bags of waste each year. Bring your own favorite toiletries and encourage hotels to stock refillable dispensers.

Minimize Waste Reuse plastic bags or pack your own cloth or string bag to carry any purchases. Bring your own water bottle and some rechargeable batteries and a charger for your camera and other gadgets.

Support Independent Shops Buy your souvenirs from small independent stores and support local traders. Their products are likely to be less energy-intensive in their production and you’ll go home with a unique memento.

Recycle Your Guide Books or Use an App Give them to a friend or leave at your hotel for another guest to read.

It will leave your suitcase a little lighter! Also check out any available apps and dispense with the guide books altogether!

Sustainable Tourism 39

FRENCH

GERMAN

ITALIAN

SPANISH

Resources ENGLISH

FRENCH

GREETINGS AND CIVILITIES Hello (formal)/(informal)

Bonjour/Salut

Good morning

Bonjour

Good afternoon

Bonjour

Good evening/Good night

Bonsoir/Bonne nuit

How are you?

Comment allez-vous?

Well, thanks

Bien, Merci

Goodbye (formal)

Au revoir

Goodbye (informal)

Salut

Yes

Oui

No

Non

Excuse me

Excusez-moi

Sorry, Excuse me

Pardon

Please

s'il vous plaît

Thank you/Thank you very much

Merci/Merci beaucoup

You're welcome

Je vous en prie

Do you speak English?

Vous parlez Anglais?

SIGNS Entrance

Entrée

Way Out/Exit

Sortie

Mens (Toilet)

Hommes/Messieurs

Ladies (Toilet)

Femmes/Mesdames

TAXIS Please take me to...

Conduisez-moi à...s'il vous plaît

How much does it cost to go to...?

C'est combien pour aller à...?

AT THE POST OFFICE I would like to send a...

Je voudrais envoyer...

...letter

...une lettre

...parcel

...un colis

...postcard

...une carte postale

I would like some stamps

Je voudrais des timbres

SIGHTSEEING Can I take photographs?

Je peux prendre des photos?

AT THE BANK I want to exchange some money

Je veux changer l'argent

I want to exchange some Travellers cheques

Je veux changer des cheques de voyage

Exchange

L'echange

FOOD AND DRINK I am a vegetarian

40 Grand European Travel

Je suis vegetarien/ vegetarienne

Useful Phrases GERMAN

ITALIAN

SPANISH

Guten Tag/Hallo

Buon giorno/Ciao

Hola/Hola

Guten Morgen

Buon Giorno

Buenos dias

Gutan Tag

Buon giorno

Buenos noches

Guten Abend/Gute Nacht

Buona sera/Buona notte

Buenas noches

Vie geht es Ihnen?

Come sta?

Qué tal?

Danke, gut

Bene, grazie

Bien, gracias

Auf Wiedersehen

Arrivederci

Adiós

Tschüss

Ciao

Hasta luego

Ja

Si

Si

Nein

No

No

Entschuldigung

Mi scusi

Perdón

Entschuldigung

Permesso

Lo siento

Bitte

Per favore

Por favour

Danke/Vielen Dank

Grazie/Molte grazie

Gracias/Muchas gracias

Bitte sehr

Prego

De nada

Sprechen Sie Englisch?

Parla inglese?

Habla usted inglés?

Eingang

Entrata

Entrada

Ausgang

Uscita

Salida

Herren

Signori

Hombres

Damen

Signore

Damas/Mujeres/Señoras

können Sie mich...bringen,bitte

Mi porti...per piacere

Me lleva a... Por favor

Was kostet es bis...?

Quanto costa andare a...?

Cuanto cuesta ir a...?

Ich mochte... Senden

Vorrei mandare...

Quisiera enviar...

...einen Brief

...Una lettera

...una carta

...ein Paket

...un pacchetto

...un paquete

...eine Poskarte

...una catolina

...una postal

Ic mochte Briefmarken kaufen

Vorrei dei francobolli

Quisiera unos sellos

Darf ich fotografieren?

Posso fare fotografie?

Puedo tomar fotos?

Ich mochte Geld umtauschen

Vorrei cambiare del denaro

Quiero cambiar dinero

Ich möchte Reiseschecks einlosen

Vorrei cambiare del denaro

Quiero cambiar cheques de viaje

Geldwechsel

L'ufficio del cambio

Cambio

Ich bin Vegetarier/ Vegetarierin

Sono vegetariano/ vegetariana

Soy begetariano/ vegetariana

Useful Phrases 41

GERMAN

ITALIAN

SPANISH

Resources ENGLISH

FRENCH

I would like a(n)...

Je voudrais...

...beer

...une biere

...red wine

un vin rouge

...white wine

...un vin blanc

...coffee

...un cafe

...tea

...un thé

...water

...de l'eau

...orange juice

...une orange pressé

SHOPPING How much is it?

C'est combien?

Can I pay by credit card?

Est-ce que je peux payer avec ma carte de crédit?

Can I have a receipt please?

Je peux avoir un reçu, s'il vous plaît?

Where is the nearest chemist?

Où est le pharmacie la plus proche?

POLISH

CZECH

HUNGARIAN

CROATIAN

FRENCH

EMERGENCIES Where is the police?

Où est le commissariat de police?

Where are the toilets?

Où sont les toilettes?

Call...!

Appelez...!

...an ambulance

...une ambulance

...a doctor

...une médecin

...the police

...la police

ENGLISH

POLISH

GREETINGS AND CIVILITIES Hello (formal)/(informal) Good morning Good afternoon Good evening/Good night How are you?

Well, thanks Goodbye (formal) Goodbye (informal) Yes No Excuse me Sorry, Excuse me Please

Dzień dobry/Cześć Dzień dobry Dzień dobry Dobry wieczór/Dobranoc Jak się masz?

Dobrze, dziękuję Do widzenia Na razie Tak Nie Przepraszam Przepraszam Proszę

Thank you/Thank you very much

Dziękuję/Dziękuję bardzo

You're welcome Do you speak English?

Nie ma za co Czy mowisz po angielsku?

SIGNS Entrance Way Out/Exit

Wejście

42 Grand European Travel

Wyjście

Useful Phrases GERMAN

ITALIAN

SPANISH

Ich hätte gern...

...Vorrei...

Quisiera...

...ein Bier

...una birra

...una cerveza

einen Rot-Wein

...vino rosso

...un vino tinto

...einen weiss-Wein

...vino bianco

...unvino blanco

...einen Kaffee

...un caffe

...un café

...einen Tee

...un tè

...un té

...ein Wasser

...un'acqua

...un agua

...einen Orangensaft

...una succo d'arancia

...un zumo de naranja

Was kostet das?

Quanto costa?

Cuanto cuesta?

Nehmen sie Kreditkarten?

Posso pagare con la carta di credito?

Aceptan tarjetas de crédito?

Kann ich eine Quittung haben bitte?

Puo darmi una ricevuta, per cortesia?

Podria darme un recibo?

Wo ist die nächste Apotheke?

Dov e la farmacista piu vicina?

Donde esta la químico más cercano?

Wo ist das Polizeirevier?

Dov'è la questura?

Done esta la comisaria

Wo ist die Toilette?

Dov'è la toilette?

Donde están los aseos

Rufen Sie...!

Chiami...!

Llame a...!

...einen Krankenwagen

...un'ambulanza

...una ambulancia

...einen Arzt

...un medico

...un médico

...die Polizei

...la polizia

...la policia

CZECH

HUNGARIAN

CROATIAN

dobrý den/Ahoj Dobré jitro Dobré odpoledne dobrý večer/Dobrou noc Jak se máš? dobře, děkuju Nashledanou Měj se Ano Ne Promiňte Promiňte Prosim

Neni zač; Rado se stalo Mluvite anglicky?

Jo Napot!/Szia.

Jo reggelt.

Jo Napot!

Jo estet./Jo ejszakat.

Hogy van?

Jol. Koszonom.

Viszontlatasra Szia. Viszlat.

Igen Nem Elnezest Bocsanat Elnezest Koszonom. Koszonom szepen Szivesen Beszel angolul?

Zdravo/Hej, Bog Dobro jutro Dobar dan (good day) Dobra vecer/Laku noc Kako ste?

Dobro, hvala Dovidenja Ciao, bog Da Ne Oprostite Ispricavam se, Oprostite Molim Hvala vam, hvala vam lijepa Molim Govorite li engleski?

Vchod

Bejárat

Ulaz

Východ

Kijárat

Izlaz/Izlaz

děkuju/děkuju pěkně

Useful Phrases 43

ENGLISH

POLISH

Mens (Toilet)

Męska

Ladies (Toilet)

Damska

Proszę mnie zawieść do

How much does it cost to go to...?

Ille kosztuje przejazd do...

AT THE POST OFFICE I would like to send a... ...letter ...parcel ...postcard

Chcę przesłać ...list ...paczkę ...pocztowkę

I would like some stamps

Chcę znaczki

SIGHTSEEING Can I take photographs?

Czy moge robic zdjecia?

AT THE BANK I want to exchange some money

Chce wymienić pieniądze

I want to exchange some Travellers cheques

Chce wymienić czeki

Exchange

wymiana

FOOD AND DRINK I am a vegetarian

Jestem wegetarianinem

I would like a(n)...

Chciałbym

...beer ...red wine ...white wine ...coffee ...tea ...water ...orange juice

...piwo ...czerwone wino ...białe wino ...kawę ...herbatę ...wodę ...sok pomarańczowy

POLISH

Please take me to...

HUNGARIAN

TAXIS

CZECH

CROATIAN

Resources

SHOPPING How much is it?

Can I pay by credit card?

Can I have a receipt please?

Where is the nearest chemist?

EMERGENCIES Where is the police?

Where are the toilets?

Call...! ...an ambulance ...a doctor ...the police

44 Grand European Travel

Ile to kosztuje?

Czy mogę zapłacić kartą kredytową?

Czy mogę dostać rachunek?

Gdzie jest najblizsza apteka?

Gdzie jest policja?

Gdzie są toalety?

Dzwoń... ...po karetkę ...po doktora ...na policję

Useful Phrases CZECH

HUNGARIAN

CROATIAN

Toalety pani

Ferfi WC

Muski

Toalety damy

Noi WC

Zenski

Vezměte mě do... Prosim

Kerem vigyen a...

Molim vas, odvezite me do...

Kolik to stoji?

Mennyibe kerul elmenni a...

Koliko kosta voznja do...?

Rád bych odeslal (a) ...dopis ...balik ...pohlednici Mohl bych poprosit známky

Szeretnek kuldeni egy... ...levelet ...csomagot ...kepeslapot

Zelim poslati ...pismo ...paket ...razglednicu

Szeretnek belyeget

Zelim kupiti marke

Mužu si to vyfotit

Fenykepezhetek?

Smijem li fotofrafirati?

Rád bych se směnil penize Rád bych si směnil cestovni šeky Směnárna

Penzt szeretnek váltani Utazási csekket szeretnek beváltani Penzválto

Zelim promijeniti novac Zelim promijeniti putnicke cekove Mjenjacnica

Jsem vegetarián Mohl bych poprosit znamky ...pivo ...červené víno ...Bíle víno ...kávu ...čaj ...Vodu ...pomerančovy džus

Vegetáriánus vagyok

Ja sam vegetarijanac

Szeretnek egy...

Zelim.../Uzeti cu

...sor ...voros bor ...feher bor ...káve/tejjel ...tea ...viz ...narancsle

...pivo ...crno vino ...bijelo vino ...kavu/s mlijekom ...caj ...vodu ...dus

Kolik to stoji?

Mužu zaplatit kreditni kartou?

Mennyibe kerul?

Koliko kosta?

Mogu li platiti (kreditnom) karticom?

Mužu poprosit stvrzenku?

Kde je tady nejbližši lékárna?

Kde je policie?

Kde jsou toalety?

Zavolejte... ...ambulanci ...doktora ...policii

Fizethetek hitel kártyával?

Kaphatnek számlát, kerem?

Hol van a legkozelebbi gyogyszertár?

Molim vas racun?

Cdje je najbliza ljekarna?

Hol van a rendorseg?

Gdje je policijska postaja?

Hivja...! ...a mentot ...az orvost ...a rendorseget

Zovite...! ...hitnu pomoc ...doktora/lijecnika ...policiju

Useful Phrases 45

Resources

TEMPERATURE CONVERSION FAHRENHEIT 0° -20°

32° 25° 10°

0°

50° 10°

75° 20°

100° 30°

40°

125° 50°

150° 60°

212° 200°

175°

70°

80°

90°

100°

CENTIGRADE VOLTAGE AND PLUGS

Voltages and plug configurations vary greatly, but the key thing to check is that your appliance or charger will work safely with 220-240 Volts (which is the usual power range in Europe). Some appliances, especially those from North America, may work only on 110 Volts. The safe voltage range is generally printed on the appliance.

MEASUREMENTS

The bold figures in the central columns can be read as either the metric or the imperial measure. Thus, 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters: or 1 centimeter = .3937 inch. For tens, move the decimal point one place to the right, for hundreds two places.

LENGTH

DISTANCE

INCHES

0.3937

CENTIMETERS

1

MILES

KILOMETERS

2.54

0.6214

1

1.6093

0.7874

2

5.08

1.2427

2

3.2187

1.1811

3

7.62

1.8641

3

4.828

1.5748

4

10.16

2.4855

4

6.4374

1.9685

5

12.7

3.1069

5

8.0467

2.3622

6

15.24

3.7282

6

9.6561

2.7559

7

17.78

4.3496

7

11.2654

3.1496

8

20.32

4.971

8

12.8748

3.5433

9

22.86

5.5923

9

14.4841

WEIGHT POUNDS

2.2046

1

VOLUME KILOS

PINTS

0.4536

1.7598

1

LITERS

0.5683

4.4092

2

0.9072

3.5195

2

1.1365

6.6139

3

1.3608

5.2793

3

1.7048

8.8185

4

1.8144

7.039

4

2.2731

11.0231

5

2.268

8.7988

5

2.8413

13.2277

6

2.7216

10.5586

6

3.4096

15.4324

7

3.1751

12.3183

7

3.9778

17.637

8

3.6287

14.0781

8

4.5461

19.8416

9

4.0823

15.8378

9

5.1144

46 Grand European Travel

Conversion Charts CLOTHING SIZES

To assist you when shopping for clothes or shoes.

WOMEN DRESSES, SUITS AND SWEATERS

Australia

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

Europe

36

38

40

42

44

46

48

50

52

UK

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

USA

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

Australia

5

5.5

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

Europe

35

36

36

37

37

38

38

39

39

UK

3.5

4

4.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

7

7.5

USA

5

5.5

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

24

24

SHOES

CHILDREN Australia

4

6

8

10

12

18

20

22

Europe (cm)

125

135

150

155

160

46

48

50

52

UK (ins)

43

48

55

58

60

18

20

22

24

USA

4

6

8

10

12

16

18

20

22

49

MEN SUITS AND JACKETS

Australia

36

38

39.5

41

72.5

44

45.5

47

Europe

46

48

50

52

54

56

58

60

62

UK

36

38

39.5

41

72.5

44

45.5

47

49

USA

46

48

50

52

54

56

58

60

62

Australia

37

38

39

41

42

43

44

45

46

Europe

37

38

39

41

42

43

44

45

46

UK

14.5

15

15.5

16

16.5

17

17.5

18

18.5

USA

14.5

15

15.5

16

16.5

17

17.5

18

18.5

SHIRTS

SHOES

Australia

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

UK

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

USA

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Europe

Conversion Charts 47

Resources AUSTRIA

Salzburg - Vienna ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 1/2 hours Vienna - Budapest ����������������������������������������������������������������������������5 hours CZECH REPUBLIC Cesky Krumlov - Prague ����������������������������������������������������������� 2 1/2 hours GREAT BRITAIN London - Oxford ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 1/2 hours London - Bath ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 1 1/4 hours London - Cambridge ������������������������������������������������������������������ 1 1/4 hours London - Windsor ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 1/4 hours Bath - Stonehenge ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 hours Bristol - Stratford ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 2 1/2 hours Chester - Lake District ���������������������������������������������������������������2 1/4 hours EGYPT Cairo - Pyramids of Giza ��������������������������������������������������������������� 3/4 hour Cairo - Luxor (flight) �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 hour Aswan - Cairo ����������������������������������������������������������������������������1 hour direct ������������������������������������������������������������������������������(2 hours if stop in Luxor) FRANCE Paris - Normandy �������������������������������������������������������������������������������5 hours Avignon - Nice �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������3 hours Nice - Genoa ������������������������������������������������������������������������������2 3/4 hours Paris - Chartres ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 1/2 hours GERMANY Cologne - Koblenz ����������������������������������������������������������������������������2 hours Koblenz - Heidelberg �����������������������������������������������������������������������2 hours Cologne - Frankfurt ���������������������������������������������������������������������������2 hours Munich - Innsbruck ��������������������������������������������������������������������������3 hours GREECE Athens - Nauplia �������������������������������������������������������������������������������3 hours Nauplia - Olympia �������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 1/2 hours Delphi - Kalambaka ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 hours Kalambaka - Athens �������������������������������������������������������������������������5 hours Athens - Mykonos (Cruise) ����������������������������������������������������� 6 1/2 hours Mykonos - Rhodes (Cruise) ��������������������������������������������������������� 12 hours Rhodes - Kusadasi (Cruise) ������������������������������������������������������������ 9 hours Heraklion - Santorini (Cruise) ������������������������������������������������ 4 1/2 hours IRELAND Waterford - Blarney Castle ������������������������������������������������������2 1/4 hours Blarney - Killarney ����������������������������������������������������������������������1 3/4 hours Ring of Kerry Drive �������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 1/2 hours Killarney - Limerick ����������������������������������������������������������������������������2 hours Limerick - Galway Bay ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 1 hour Galway - Cliffs of Moher ����������������������������������������������������������1 3/4 hours Dublin - Waterford ��������������������������������������������������������������������2 3/4 hours

48 Grand European Travel

Journey Times ITALY Venice - Assisi �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������5 hours Venice - Florence ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 1/2 hours Florence - Pisa ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 1/2 hours Rome - Sorrento ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 3 1/2 hours Florence - Rome ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 3 1/2 hours RUSSIA St. Petersburg - Moscow (Train) �������������������������������������������� 5 1/2 hours SCANDINAVIA Sognefjord - Geiranger ��������������������������������������������������������������������5 hours Copenhagen - Odense ���������������������������������������������������������������1 3/4 hours Falun - Nusnas ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 hour Stockholm - Uppsala ����������������������������������������������������������������� 3 1/2 hours SCOTLAND Gretna Green - Edinburgh ���������������������������������������������������������2 1/4 hours Edinburgh - St. Andrews ���������������������������������������������������������� 1 1/4 hours SPAIN & PORTUGAL Lisbon - Porto �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5 hours Madrid - Salamanca ����������������������������������������������������������������� 2 1/2 hours Madrid - Toledo ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 1 hour Toledo - Cordoba ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 4 hours Cordoba - Torremolinos ������������������������������������������������������������������ 4 hours Seville - Lisbon ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 hours Granada - Costa del Sol �������������������������������������������������������������������3 hours Costa del Sol - Seville �����������������������������������������������������������������������5 hours SWITZERLAND Zurich - Lucerne ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 hour Lucerne - Interlaken ������������������������������������������������������������������1 3/4 hours Geneva - Zermatt ���������������������������������������������������������������������4 3/4 hours Engelberg - Lucerne ������������������������������������������������������������������������1/2 hour St. Moritz - Innsbruck �������������������������������������������������������������� 4 1/2 hours Montreux - Geneva �������������������������������������������������������������������1 3/4 hours TURKEY Istanbul - Canakkale �����������������������������������������������������������������5 3/4 hours Canakkale - Izmir �������������������������������������������������������������������������������5 hours Izmir - Pamukkale ���������������������������������������������������������������������3 3/4 hours Pamukkale - Antalya �����������������������������������������������������������������4 3/4 hours Antalya - Konya ��������������������������������������������������������������������������5 3/4 hours Konya - Cappadocia �����������������������������������������������������������������2 3/4 hours Cappadocia - Ankara ��������������������������������������������������������������� 3 1/2 hours FERRY CROSSINGS Holyhead - Dublin ����������������������������������������������������������������������3 1/4 hours

Journey Times 49

You may find these pages helpful to record key information given by your Travel Director, such as meal and departure times, etc.

50 Grand European Travel

Notes 51

Daily Lunch and Dinner Folklore Show!

March to October With Folk Music, Yodeling, Alphornblowing and Flagthrowing.

Your superb combination for excellent food, music and great fun in historical place dating back to the 12th century. Fully air conditioned.

Sternenplatz 3 CH-6004 Luzern Telefon +41 41 410 47 33 Fax +41 41 410 61 33 info@swissfolkloreshow.com www.swissfolkloreshow.com 52 Grand European Travel

Page 36

#\KGPC #ITKEQNC La Sorgente

Sorrento, Italy 7HO ‡ )D[

Grand European Travel 53

Ristorante Il Giardino di Albino

via Zucchelli, 29, 00187 - Roma - Italy Tel/Fax: +39 0648.85.202 e-mail: ilgiardinodialbino@alice.it www.ilgiardinodialbino.it

Ristorante Il Mulinaccio •

Cucina & Atmosfera

•

Via Cassia per Firenze, 38 50026 - San Casciano in Val di Pesa (Firenze), località Falciani (a 5km dal casello Firenze-Certosa dell’ autostrada A/1)

Tel. 055-8228291 www.mulinaccio.net

54 Grand European Travel

The Best selection of 18 Kt gold jewerly.

Some of the designer brands you will find in our shop include: FOPE, MOSAIC, SCANAVIN, NANIS, UNOAERRE, ROBERTO COIN, ELINI, NOMINATION and PANDORA. We also offer an extensive selection of original Roman coins and cameos.

Best selection of 18 Kt gold jewerly.

Our friendly, international staff awaits.

Tax free for tourist

Piazza Santa Croce, 15 r 50122 Firenze Tel. +39 055 24 19 71 Fax +39 055 24 78 437 info@goldcorner.it

YOUR HIGHLIGHT IN PARIS Dinner Show 0r Champagne Show Grand European Travel 55

Fragonard

Riviera

Une visite gratuite et guidée pour découvrir les secrets de la création des parfums dans nos usines de Grasse et de Eze-Village.

Welcome to the world of Fragonard.

Free guided tour of our factories and museums.

USINE HISTORIQUE 20, boulevard Fragonard, 06130 Grasse T +33 (0)4 93 36 44 65 LA FABRIQUE DES FLEURS les 4 Chemins, rte de Cannes, 06130 Grasse T +33 (0)4 93 77 94 30 USINE LABORATOIRE Eze-Village Moyenne Corniche, 06360 Eze T +33 (0)4 93 41 05 05 TOURISME@FRAGONARD.COM WWW.FRAGONARD.COM

56 Grand European Travel

0:59

Page 31

Angle 2 rue des Saules

18 rue St 18eme Angle 2 Rustique rue desParis Saules Tel: +33 (0)1 42 52 02 42 18 rue StFax: Rustique Paris 18eme +33 (0)1 42 52 14 85 www.labonnefranquette.com paris@labonnefranquette.com Tel: +33 (0)1 42 02 42 0 Booklet Eur:Layout 1 5224/11/10 10:59 Métro: Abbesses, Lamarck Caulaincourt, Pigalle, Funiculaire Fax: +33 (0)1 42 52 14 85

www.labonnefranquette.com

paris@labonnefranquette.com

Métro: Abbesses, Lamarck Caulaincourt, Pigalle, Funiculaire

h

.

New 2010 Booklet Eur:Layout 1

CK

24/11/10

10:59

Page 32

$

Tyro7 e and y ances rolean rfor-

Tyrol.

Angle 14 rue Favart

9 rue d’ Ambroise Paris Angle 14 rue75002 Favart Tel: +33 (0)1 42 96 36 89 9 rue d’Fax: Ambroise 75002 Paris +33 (0)1 47 03 97 31 www.lesnocesdejeannette.com paris@lesnocesdejeannette.com Tel: +33 (0)1 42 96 36 89 Métro: Richelieu-Drouot, Bourse, �uatre-Septembre Fax: +33 (0)1 47 03 97 31

www.lesnocesdejeannette.com

paris@lesnocesdejeannette.com

Métro: Richelieu-Drouot, Bourse, �uatre-Septembre

Grand European Travel 57

Windsor,Stonehenge and Bath Leeds Castle, Canterbury and Dover Oxford, Stratford and Warwick Castle Salisbury, Stonehenge and Bath Majestic London Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

80

80

58 Grand European Travel

TASTE OF SCOTLAND

Scottish Show WORLD FAMOUS SHOW & DINNER THREE SCOTTISH TENORS Perform nightly

ROBERT BURNS’ Address to the Haggis

BAGPIPES, FIDDLES & CEILIDH DANCING! TARTAN & KILTS GALORE WHISKY & HAGGIS TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH ENTERTAINMENT An unmissable feast of traditional Scottish music, song, food and culture in the magnificent setting of historic Prestonfield House, just moments from the Royal Mile. Enjoy a four-course dinner with wine followed by a spectacular 2-hour show. Unmissable!

DINNER, SHOW & WINE JUST £53

BOOK ONLINE

BOOKING HOTLINE 0131 225 7800 scottishshow.co.uk BOOK ONLINE scottishshow.co.uk

buy ticketsfrom fromthe theHub HubBox BoxOffice, Office, Castlehill, OrOr buy tickets Castlehill,Royal RoyalMile Mile

Grand European Travel 59

60 Grand European Travel

6000 Meadows Road, Suite 520 • Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 USA Toll Free: 1-800-552-5545 – online at www.GETours.com #GrandEuropean

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