European Tour
July 18 -31, 2012

Visit farms in Holland, Germany and Austria. Attend the world's largest flower auction in Holland, where 20 million flowers are auctioned off each day. Visit a Belgian horse farm, watch chocolatiers create their famous confections, and explore the Grand Place in Brussels. Stop in Heidelberg and Nuremberg, and visit the Eagle's Nest near Berchtesgaden in Germany. Tour Prague in Czech Republic, and visit Vienna and the "Sound of Music" area near Salzburg in Austria. Enjoy entertaining folk shows, venture deep underground into a salt mine, and ride up high to lofty mountain tops for incredible vistas of the majestic Austrian and Swiss Alps.

Day 1: Depart the US

Join Larry and Jane Rupiper on an exciting tour of Europe. The group departs at 6:00 p.m. from New York, JFK on a transatlantic flight to Amsterdam. In-flight Seal Service

Day 2: Arrive in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Upon arrival at the Amsterdam Schiphol airport we are welcomed by our English speaking tour guide, who accompanies us throughout the tour.

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, also called “Venice of the North” for its miles and miles of canals (Dutch: grachten), close to 90 islands, and almost 1,500 bridges. The three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Kaizersgracht form a concentric belt around the city. Alongside the canal rings, the grachtengordle, are 1550 monumental buildings, built by rich merchants during the “Dutch Golden Age” in the 17th and 18th century.

The best way to explore Amsterdam is by boat, so climb aboard a small vessel and enjoy a relaxed luncheon cruise along the main canals of Amsterdam. We glide past narrow merchant houses, charming bridges, and old churches. By mid-afternoon we transfer to our hotel in Zaandam. The balance of the day is yours to enjoy the amenities of our uniquely designed hotel and its surroundings. Meals: In-flight meal service, Lunch

Day 3: Amsterdam / Flevoland

Today’s excursion will delight the flower enthusiast. We start early to catch the busiest time at the world’s largest flower auction, the Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer. Each day, 19 million flowers and two million plants are sold at this vast trade building, which covers almost 11 million square feet. Enjoy the gorgeous flowers and experience the hustle and bustle of the auction.

We continue on to Flevoland, where we visit the Centre for Organic Agriculture, which works with several of the largest organic grain and vegetable farmers in the Netherlands. The program begins with a short lecture and discussion on organic agriculture in the Netherlands followed by a field excursion and concludes with a delicious lunch – of course the food is organically grown!

Flevoland is the world’s largest artificial island. After a flood in 1916, it was decided that the Zuiderzee would be enclosed and reclaimed. This was the beginning of the Zuiderzee Works and was finished upon completion of the Afsluitdijk (levee) in 1932, which closed off the sea completely. Reclaiming the Zuiderzee relieved overcrowding and housing shortage on the old land. Originally the land was designated to become an industrial area but spontaneous settlement of interesting flora and fauna turned part of the area into a nature park, but the center is still exclusively agricultural land.

The excitement continues with our guided tour of Zaanse Schans, where we visit working windmills and see traditional Dutch crafts, such as cheese making and crafting wooden shoes. Zaanse Schans, a typical residential area along the river Zaan, with houses and windmills dating back to the 17th and 18th century, is both a museum and a living and working area. The residents keep alive the glory of the “golden age.” Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Amsterdam / Brussels, Belgium

We say farewell to the Netherlands and cross into Belgium, where we visit a Belgian Draft horse farm. The Belgian Draft horse, also called the Brabant, is one of the strongest of the heavy breeds and is mainly associated with the image of a horse-drawn brewery wagon. Truly beautiful animals! In Brussels, the capital of Belgium and also the de facto capital of the European Union (EU) and headquarters of Nato, we enjoy a guided tour of the city center with its ornate Grand-Place. We see its famous landmark, Manneken Pis, a small bronze fountain sculpture of a little boy doing the unimaginable. We conclude with a chocolate making demonstration and a delectable tasting of hot chocolate and pralines. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Brussels / Heidelberg / Nuremberg, Germany

Departing Brussels we journey south via Namur and Dinant along the river Meuse and through the wooded hills of the Ardennes into Luxembourg. We stop in picturesque Luxembourg City, continue on to Heidelberg, Germany, with a view of the famous Heidelberg Castle, and on to our final destination, Nuremberg. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Nuremberg / Prague, Czech Republic

Before departing Nuremberg, we drive out to the Zeppelin Field on the premises of the former Reichsparteitagsgelände, where the Nazi rallies were held. We also see the unfinished Congress Hall, commissioned by Hitler in 1935, designed to hold over 50,000 people.

We continue on to the Lilling Farm just a few miles from Nuremberg. This farm, owned and operated by a young man and his sister, is different from most farms. These two siblings decided to venture back to the family farm and develop a new stream of income. The main income stems from hop cultivation, fruit-growing, and a distillery. Part of the farm’s energy is produced by a small biogas plant that feeds off the byproducts from the distillery and their small swine operation. As supplemental income, they own a store where they sell their produce. During our visit we learn how profitable a small farm can be. We conclude our visit at the Lilling farm with a scrumptious lunch buffet and a taste of their own Schnapps. This afternoon our journey continues on to Prague, Czech Republic. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Prague

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of the picturesque city of Prague and the imposing castle complex which is visible from every location in the city. The Czech Republic is said to have more castles than any country in the world. See the famous St. Charles Bridge and Prague’s historic Old Town. The afternoon is free to explore Prague’s unique cafés and browse the many shops. Beware – the goods are very tempting!

Prague is situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia and has been the cultural and political center for more than 1,100 years. Prague’s historical Old Town is on the registry of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and houses the intricate gothic Church of our Lady before Týn, the baroque St. Nicholas Church, the Astronomical Clock, and a statue in honor of a religious reformer, Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake. Wenceslas Square, which is more like an Avenue than a square, has two prominent landmarks, the National Museum and the equestrian statue of Wenceslas. Located on Republic Square is the Municipal House, a premier Art Nouveau building, next to the Powder Tower.

Prazsky Hrad, is the largest ancient castle in the world. Located within the castle complex is St. Vitus Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The first church at this location was founded in 925, and the present day Gothic Cathedral was founded in 1344. The most outstanding place in the Cathedral is St. Wenceslas Chapel, built in honor of the country’s patron. The chapel is a masterpiece of Czech Gothic architecture. Beautiful decorated walls depict the Passion of Christ with more than 1,300 semi-precious stones and paintings.

Tonight you are in for a treat. Enjoy a typical Czech Duck dinner, beer or wine, and a glass of Becherovka, Czech’s original liquor. Young musicians and dancers, dressed in their regional costumes, will entertain you with folk music and traditional dances while you dine. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Prague / Vienna, Austria

Depart Prague for the České Budéjovice, the largest city in South Bohemia with its wonderfully preserved Medieval and Baroque architecture around the town square. The German name for České Budéjovice is Budweis , mainly known for the original Budweiser beer. During a guided tour of the modern brewery we see the brewing process from the all-natural ingredients of water, hops, and malt, to the finished product. The excursion concludes with a tasting of the light lager, served right in the lager cellar, and a typical lunch at the Budvar Beerhouse.

Our journey continues on to Austria and its capital Vienna, also called “The City of Waltzes.” Get ready for a fun evening at the Prater, an amusement park which is best known for its giant Ferris wheel, Vienna’s landmark featured in the movie The Third Man. If you are daring, you may take a ride to the lofty top of the 200 foot high Ferris wheel – where the view is incredible! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Vienna

Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Vienna, showcasing the most significant historical sites. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. Lined with impressive buildings, you are sure to enjoy this sight! We also visit the Burggarten, which houses the monument to one of the world’s best known composers, the virtuoso, Mozart. We hope to listen to the mighty organ at St. Stephan’s Cathedral, and enjoy a grand tour through the majestic Schönbrunn Palace.

Schönbrunn Palace, along with its beautiful gardens, is Austria’s most important cultural monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Schönbrunn was nearly destroyed by Turkish troops during the Battle of Vienna in 1683. The palace was newly designed and rebuilt by Emperor Leopold I in 1693 and became the center of the royal court and political life under Empress Maria Theresia’s reign. The beautifully designed gardens house many fine sculptures and the Palm Pavilion.

World renowned composer Mozart, the most celebrated musician in Austria - perhaps the world, has a monument in his honor in the Burggarten, right next to the Imperial Hofburg Palace. The monument was erected in 1896, and after suffering heavy damage during WWII, was restored to its former glory in 1953.

This evening experience traditional Vienna Heurigen culture in Austria’s famous wine growing region, Grinzing, with typical local cuisine, wine tasting, and live music in a quaint restaurant where only the vintner’s own wine can be served. Dressed in colorful costumes, talented musicians and singers present a selection of famous waltzes, polkas, and operetta melodies. Great food, fine wine, and lots of fun! Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Vienna / Reichersberg, Austria / Berchtesgaden, Germany

Departing Vienna we travel to the north eastern part of Austria, called the Inn Viertel. This is Austria’s foremost farming region. It’s flat and fertile soil along with generous rain fall, yields good crops year after year. They produce corn, wheat, sugar beets, barley, and soybeans.

Meet a friend of Larry’s from this region, Ludwig Schwarzmayr, as he has invited our group to visit his and his neighbors’ farms located very near the beautiful Stift Reichersberg Abbey. Our excursion begins with lunch at the Abbey, followed by farm visits and a stop at a New Holland dealership and a BISO production plant. This factory builds corn, wheat, and soybean headers for combines. In the late afternoon we say our goodbyes and continue on our journey toward Salzburg. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Berchtesgaden

Today’s excursion takes us to the lofty heights of the Kehlsteinhaus, also known as the Eagle’s Nest, and then deep underground into a salt mine.

The Kehlsteinhaus building is literally on top of the Kehlstein Mountain (elevation 6,017 ft.) and is part of the Obersalzberg complex built by the Nazis. The Kehlsteinhaus was a birthday present to Adolf Hitler and was nicknamed Eagles Nest by a French diplomat. Hitler visited the property only a few times, perhaps this lack of close association with Hitler saved the property from demolition at the end of the war. The Kehlsteinhaus is reached by a 4 mile stretch of road built in 1939, costing 30 million Reichsmark (in today’s currency it would be about 225 million US Dollars). The last few hundred feet from the road up to the building is linked by a long granite tunnel and an elevator which was bored down through the mountain. After the war the Kehlsteinhaus was used by the Allies as a military command post until 1960, when it was handed back to the State of Bavaria. The building now serves as a restaurant and due to its historical significance is a popular destination especially for Britons and Americans.

This afternoon we visit the salt mine Berchtesgaden. A secret world awaits us deep down beneath the “Salzberg” mountain. For many years, only the salt miners were allowed to enter the complex tunnel system, but now the salt mine, which has been in operation for over 500 years, is open for exploration. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Salzburg / Innsbruck, Austria

This morning we visit picturesque Salzburg. Salzburg’s majestic city scape, nestled in the foothills of the Austrian Alps and topped by the mighty fortress Hohensalzburg, can be seen from afar. Salzburg is renowned for its storybook Old Town, its vibrant cultural life, being the birthplace and residence to the world famous virtuoso, Mozart, and being the backdrop for the unforgettable Sound of Music film.

On our way to Innsbruck, Tyrol, we travel winding mountain roads, stop in a quaint mountain resort, and pause to catch a view of the impressive Krimml Waterfalls, Europe’s highest waterfalls boasting a drop of 1250 feet. Tonight, enjoy typical regional entertainment at the Sandwirt Restaurant. A Tyrolean evening with authentic folk music, dances, and “shoe-slapping”, as well as Tyrolean songs and yodeling, performed by the Gundolf Family. We’ll have a great time! Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Innsbruck / Zurich, Switzerland

Today, we make our way from Innsbruck, Austria to Zurich, Switzerland. We continue on crossing the grandiose Alps via high mountain passes and deep valleys. Along the way we stop in picturesque towns, travel alongside rapid streams and see thundering waterfalls and snowy mountain peaks. The scenery is truly breathtaking!

To round out our alpine experience we visit the Appenzeller Cheese Dairy in Stein, near Lake Constance. The spiciest cheese in Switzerland has been produced, following an artisan tradition, for more than 700 years in the idyllic mountains of the Appenzellerland. During the ripening process, Appenzeller cheese is treated with an herbal brine, of which the exact ingredients are one of the best kept secrets. The natural raw milk used to produce this distinct cheese is delivered twice daily, fresh from the mountain side herds. The cheese making demonstration concludes with a tasting of Appenzeller cheese served along with a variety of regional delicacies.

We arrive in Zurich, Switzerland, where we will stay the night and enjoy the company of our friends on our final night abroad. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14: Zurich / USA

We say farewell to the wondrous “Old World” and depart from the Zurich airport at 10:10 a.m. We arrive in New York/JFK at 1:00 p.m. which is early enough to catch your connecting flight home. Meals: Breakfast, In-flight Meal Service

Tour includes:
International Airfare from New York/JFK
Ground Transportation by Deluxe Motorcoach
All Admissions
Four and Five Star Hotels
Meals as indicated
B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner
Professional tour manager throughout and local guides
Portage one bag per person

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
International Airline Taxes
Fuel surcharge if imposed by the airlines
Tips to the motor coach driver, local tour guides, and tour manager
Passport, Travel Insurance, and all items of personal nature