1987 Tour of Europe
West Germany, Austria and Switzerland
DATES: JULY 2 TO JULY 15
CITIES:
Dinkelsbuhl, West Germany - Gasthof Sonne, Palmengarten
Gmunden, Austria - Algen Hotel, Hotel Rittertal
Pension Huemerhof
Lake Constance, Switzerland - Hotel Mercure
Lucerne, Switzerland - Hotel Kopling
Heidelberg, West Germany - Holiday Inn
July 2: Philadelphia, PA/Frankfurt, West Germany
Today is departure day! You will board a wide-bodied jet at Philadelphia International
Airport for your overnight flight to Frankfurt, West Germany. Complimentary
meals and beverages will be served in flight.
July 3: Frankfurt/Dinkelsbuhl, West Germany
A spectacular sunrise will greet you as your flight nears its destination. After
clearing customs in Frankfurt, you will be met by your tour escorts and board
your deluxe private motorcoaches for your trip to Dinkelsbuhl. Traveling along
the Romantische Strasse (Romantic Road) you will pass walled towns that escaped
destruction during the wars, passing high ramparts studded with gates into the
medieval world of gabled buildings and cobblestone streets. Soon you will arrive
in Dinkelsbuhl, one of Germany's best preserved medieval towns. Check into your
hotel and begin to enjoy this quaint walled town with its walls and, gates,
and towers. After dinner, a guided evening your of Dinkelsbuhl will begin at
St. Georgs Church. After the evening's tour we will receive a hearty welcome
ceremony including the Dinkelsbuehler Dreigestirn, solo trumpeter of the Kindelsbuehler
Boys Band, Markentenderin and Nightwatch.
July 4: Dinkelsbuhl/Rothenburg CONCERT: Schrannenfestsaal
Departure for Tothenburg and a sightseeing tour of the Romantic Rothenburg with
its ramparts and towers, cobblestoned lanes and 16th century houses. An afternoon
rehearsal is scheduled. After dinner, an evening concert at the Schrannenfestsaal
will be well received by the people of Dinkelsbuhl.
July 5: Dinkelsbuhl/Gmunden, Austria
At 5:30 am. and optional photo shot is offered for those who wish to photograph
to Gates at sunrise. Today we will travel south on the Romantic Road to Austria,
traveling past Ausburg, the birthplace of Leopold Mozart, father of Wolfgang
and stopping to visit Dachau, World War II Nazi concentration camp before lunch.
As you travel south from Munich, the capital of Bavaria, you will visit the
Nymphenberg Palace. The magnificent Austrian Alps soon appear in breathtaking
beauty as you near your home for the next three days, Gmunden.
July 6: Gmunden/Salzburg/Gmunden CONCERT: Villa Toscana
After breakfast, you will travel to Salzburg for a full day's excursion including
a half day sightseeing tour with local guide of one of Europe's most beautiful
cities, admired equally for its buildings and its magnificent setting. We will
visit the birthplace of Mozart and the sites of the Sound of Music. A short
rehearsal is scheduled before dinner. A concert at Villa Toscana in the evening
completes this day.
July 7: Gmunden/Berchtesgaden/Gmunden
Enjoy Gmunden…a spa with all the charm of a Mediterranean town. A town
and a lake of breathtaking beauty where well-known composers, including Franz
Schubert and Johannes Brahms, valued Gmunden as their residence. Stroll the
Esplanade - a promenade leading along the shore on the 12 kms long lake. We
travel to the Saltmines in Berchtesgarden. Dressed in miner's overalls, you
will tour the saltmines which are still in operation. Afternoon visit to the
alpine retreat of Hitler's Eagles Nest. Enjoy the huge elevator and mountain
top climbing. The 4th of July celebration is tonight.
July 8: Gmunden/Innsbruck/Fussen/Lake Constance, Switzerland
Into the Sound of Music country, we make our way past Salzburg. Then through
the soaring Alps to the capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck, set deep within the mountains.
Stroll through the famous "Old Town", with its pretty shops filled
with cowbells and cuckoo clocks. We continue past charming, painted houses of
violin-making era of Mittenwald. Next we continue through the Arlberg Pass to
Oberammergau, scene of the 1984 Passion Play, before stopping for a visit at
fairy tale Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles before our overnight on
the idyllic banks of Lake Constance.
July 9: Lake Constance CONCERT: Philharmonic Square
Time to enjoy this lovely resort area on the shores of Lake Constance which
lies between Germany and Switzerland. Its great assets are the agreeable climate
and the varied natural beauties of artistic and historical interests. The famous
Bregentz music festival is held here each summer. Afternoon of exploration or
shopping. One can rent boats or go swimming in the lake, beach, or many pools.
An evening concert is planned at Philharmonic Square on the Promenade.
July 10: Lake Constance/Berne/Lucerne, Switzerland
A short journey takes us past Zurich, the largest town in Switzerland and mecca
for shoppers. An early arrival in Berne, the Swiss capital and university town,
allows time for shopping before the Garden party at the American Embassy. Ambassador
Whittlesey will greet us, tell us about the US Embassy and residence. She will
provide and American BBQ! Our drive concludes at the popular resort of Lucerne,
the charming city with its 14th century wooden bridge. After the dance, free
evening to enjoy the night scenes of this wonderful city.
July 11: Lucerne, Switzerland CONCERT: Bandstand
The day begins with a walking sightseeing tour of Lucerne including the Kapellbruecke,
a mural-decorated wooden bridge dating back to 1333, the Lion Monument, a masterful
stone sculpture in honor of the heroic Swiss guard of Louis XVI, and the Jesuit
Church. We will visit the picturesque lakeside Wagner Villa. After dinner, an
evening concert is scheduled for the bandstand in the park.
July 12: Lucerne/Interlaken/Jungrfaujoch/Lucerne
Full day excursion to Interlaken and the Jungfraujoch. This is the most famous
excursion of all the Alps, catch the cogwheel train in Grindelwald, then travel
literally behind the north face of the Elger before arriving at the summit at
344 m (11,333 ft.). There, visit the incredible Ice Palace and gaze at the breathtaking
view. The descent via the small village at Lauterbrunnen takes you through the
valley of waterfalls back to Interlaken and Lucerne.
July 13: Lucerne/Rhine Falls/Heidelberg, West Germany
Today you will travel to the Rhine Falls, at Schaffhausen, for a view of the
highest waterfall in southern Europe before continuing through the Black Forrest
on to Heidelberg - The "Student Prince" town. Lunch stop is Triberg.
You will arrive late afternoon in time to check into your hotel and relax before
dinner. After dinner an evening walk along "Philosopher's Walk" and
to the old sector of the city will be a perfect way to end the day. An evening
trip to the local pub is optional.
July 14: Heidelberg, West Germany CONCERT: Heidelberg Castle
After breakfast this morning, you will have a guided sightseeing tour of Heidelberg,
Germany's oldest university town, including the Heidelberg Castle. A free afternoon
for shopping or more sightseeing . After dinner, a farewell concert is scheduled
in the Koenigsaal at the Heidelberg Castle. The Farewell party in the evening
completes this day.
July 15: Heidelberg/Frankfurt/Philadelphia, USA
All too soon you must bid farewell to romantic Europe as you journey to Frankfurt
airport where your wide-bodied jet will carry you back home.
August 16 Reunion Party at Rowlyk's
December Reunion Banquet at the Countryside