2019 final itinerary - mamtinc.comfoldable music stands) 2:45pm adult travelers obtain room keys at...

NOTE: Concerts and other indicated arrangements are subject to change and may be dependent upon weather conditions and local traffic.

M I D W E S T A M E R I C A N H O N O R C H O I R 2019 EUROPEAN CONCERT TOUR

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019 — SUNDAY, JULY 7, 2019 U.S.A. — FRANCE — SWITZERLAND — ITALY — AUSTRIA — GERMANY

FINAL ITINERARY Revised on: Friday, June 21, 2019 Prepared by/for: Midwest American Music Tours Head Music & Artistic Director: Dr. Peter A. Eklund Assistant Directors/Sectional Leaders: Brett Epperson, Robin Starks Holcomb, Doran Johnson, Jon Marquez,

and Kevin Palu Bus/Coach Company: Albion (Patrick, lead-driver) U.S.A. Coordinator: Carol Tyler European Concert Coordinator, European Ground Coordinator/Escort: Don Grigg Required student performance attire: all-black long tux or formal pants/slacks, black close-toed shoes

(and all-black crew-length socks for men), khaki pants (long or knee-length—Cathedrals will often not allow entrance with bare knees, bare shoulders, or tight leggings, or tight pants), and three tour-supplied polo shirts— burgundy, black, blue

Adult traveler attire: adults traveling with the ensemble wear the same shirts as the students unless instructed to do otherwise (as a general rule, travelers can change shoes/slacks AFTER the performances but must wear the day’s uniform shirt all travel day until arrival at hotel (unless instructed otherwise)…it makes shepherding easiest, safest, fastest, and best for group trips).

All times are local

DATE LOCATION TIME EVENT / ACTIVITY / DESCRIPTION day 1

JUNE 22 Saturday

LINCOLN, NE Independent optional student/traveler arrival on Friday or Saturday CORNHUSKER MARRIOTT HOTEL 333 South 13th Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68508 ( (402) 474-7474 (general phone number) (hotel contact: see MAMT blog) 8-10am Registration open in the Cornhusker Marriott Burnham Yates Convention

Center (attached to the north side of the hotel) in the SUITE 202 (second floor of the north Convention Center—take the elevators in north central convention center and exit on 2nd floor):

All travelers must present at registration: 1) your signed Passport 2) newly printed most-recent “Final Itinerary” 3) I.D. (U.S. driver’s license and U.S. student identification if a student) 4) a signed “Rules Form” 5) all singers: all 12 pieces of music in an all-black 3-ring choral

binder (or an all-black iPad/tablet) 6) Alarm Clock (if your phone is not Europe-compatible, you must have

a battery-powered travel alarm clock)

Midwest American Honor Choir ITINERARY dated: 6/21/19

NOTE: Concerts & other itinerary events are subject to change/cancellation & may be dependent upon weather conditions, mass events, & local traffic.

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7) “Whatcha need…” downloaded/printed from MAMT Email placed in binder or downloaded onto smartphone

Pick up three tour shirts, lanyard, luggage tags, and passport carrier. Luggage storage in same room.

Sopranos & Tenors all proceed to Yankee Hill 3 for note spot-checks, and Altos and Basses proceed to Yankee Hill 2 for spot-checks to ensure singers have learned notes prior to arrival (thus, the name ‘HONOR CHOIR’). There will also be spot checks to ensure the 3 memorized songs are actually memorized—the 3 songs to be memorized have professional mp3 audio tracks on the MAMT ‘Downloads Page.’ Singers with deficiencies in learned notes will need to immediately attend extra note review sessions during free time.

10am Registration closes (Keep 3-ring binder with music/itinerary/rules with you at all times) (hotel rooms will not be available until after the traditional 3pm hotel

check-in time—luggage storage will be provided until that time) 10:30am “non-traveling parent meeting” (30 minutes in length) in Suite 202 (same

as registration) 11am FIRST MUSIC REHEARSAL & Introductions in Yankee Hill 3 11:30am Independent lunch—remain in groups of at least four—it is very safe in

Lincoln—but get used to enjoying groups of at least four at all times. “Our food didn’t come in time” is NEVER an excuse for being late. 1pm 2nd choral rehearsal, men in Yankee Hill 2 women in Yankee Hill 3 Brass sectional in Boca Raton (lobby level—brass bring your own foldable music stands) 2:45pm Adult travelers obtain room keys at registration table 3pm Singer break and distribution of student room keys, luggage to be moved

to hotel rooms 3:05pm All traveling adults/parents and college student meeting, Yankee Hill 3, no exceptions. 3:45pm Sectional singer rehearsal resumes •sopranos/altos = Yankee Hill 3 (Doran Johnson, sectional leader) •tenors/basses = Yankee Hill 2 (Pete Eklund, sectional leader) •brass players attend vocal sectionals 5:30pm Color-group meetings (30 minutes): - Red is in room Yankee Hill Room 3 north end (Ty Martin, leader) - Blue is in Yankee Hill 1 (Robin Starks-Holcomb, leader) - Green is in Yankee Hill 3 west end (Jon Marquez, leader) - Gold is in Yankee Hill 2 west end (Doran Johnson, leader) - Orange is in Yankee Hill 3 sound end (Brett Epperson, leader) 6pm Independent dinner (remain in groups of at least four) 7:30pm Sectionals for Sop/Alto Yankee Hill 3, Tenor/Bass in Yankee Hill 2 10pm Student color-group meeting (same locations as before) (pool open until

11pm) 10pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place 11:15pm Students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes; hall monitors patrol hotel



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day 2 JUNE 23

Sunday

LINCOLN 8:00am Complimentary continental breakfast in Suite 202 (Conference Center, not the hotel side of the complex—same as registration room)

9:00am Sectional rehearsals for Sop/Alto in Yankee Hill 3, Tenor/Bass in Yankee Hill 2

noon Independent lunch (stay in groups of at least four) 1:30pm Massed rehearsal in Yankee Hill 3 singer break 3:00pm Massed rehearsal in Yankee Hill 3 4:30pm Paid pizza party in blue polo shirt over black long dress pants in Suite

202 (don’t spill pizza on your shirt!) 5:30pm sound-check at St. Paul Methodist Church across the street to the

northwest from hotel, use south-central doors and go up steps 7:30pm PRE-TRIP CONCERT at St. Paul Methodist Church across the street

from the hotel O God Our Help in Ages Past (DJ, conductor) Kyrie (KP, conductor) Sanctus (RSH, conductor) Sicut cervus (JM, conductor) Hosanna (PE, conductor) Song of Triumph (PE, conductor) Ave Verum (BE, conductor) Sing to the Lord (RSH, conductor) Morning Trumpet (JM, conductor) I Sing the Mighty Power of God (DJ, conductor) Ave Maria (BE, conductor) America the Beautiful (PE, conductor) 9pm Brush-up rehearsal in Yankee Hill 3, if necessary 10pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm In rooms, lights out within 30 minutes KNOW YOUR WAKE-TIME, CONFIRM SETTING OF ALARMS,

BUS DEPARTURE TIME (and partner with another room for safety in awakening on time) before you conk out for the night!

Your chaperones call it “Account-abil-a-buddy” day 3

JUNE 24 Monday

LINCOLN/ OMAHA/ DALLAS/

PARIS

or

LINCOLN/ OMAHA/

CHICAGO/ PARIS

Independent awakening (have a buddy-system in place to ensure no one oversleeps—oversleeping translates into missed international flight!!!!! KNOW YOUR BUS DEPARTURE TIME before your head hits the pillow the previous night!

Travelers gather in lobby with luggage (this is your first departure from up to nine hotels; THOROUGHLY check all parts of your room—behind doors, in the bathroom, behind the bathroom door, under the bed and in/under bedding—review chaperon written tour hotel check-out procedures and help/safeguard/warn-protect your traveling partner/s. Carefully take inventory of your chargers & phones (hotel staff know to check your vacant rooms ASAP to ensure that no damage is done or hotel items are missing—they will send an authority to meet the buses prior to departure). Flight Group A, have your black polo & khakis in your carryon to change into in the Paris airport. Flight Group B will need to either be wearing them or change on the bus



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(in restrooms). (Always remember that airline schedules are subject to change based on the weather, equipment, and connections) 5:45am Flight Group A (Doran Johnson, flight leader, 64 PAX) has breakfast in

Suite 202, then takes luggage to lobby. 6:15am Boards 2 Arrow white buses for Omaha’s Eppley Airport (ask driver

about under bus storage and using the back door for larger luggage); boards American Airlines Flight #2343 for Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW)

departing at 9:41am, arriving at DFW at 11:32am. Flight Group A boards American Airlines Flight #48 for Paris De Gaulle (CDG) departing at 5:15pm, arriving at CDG at 9:25am the next day, Tuesday. (you may have to remind the Omaha air-ticketing staff that your first leg of the flight is part of your international flight and there are no baggage fees)

10am Flight Group B (Kevin Palu, flight leader, 15 PAX) has breakfast in Suite 202; breakfast ends at 10:30am. Room checkout is 11:45am.

noon Boards 1 Arrow white bus for Omaha’s Eppley Airport (ask driver about under bus storage and using the back door for larger luggage);

boards American Airlines Flight #4136 for Chicago (ORD) departing at 4pm, arriving at ORD at 5:45pm. Flight Group B boards American Airlines Flight #150 for Paris De Gaulle (CDG) departing at 7:05pm, arriving at CDG at 10:05am the next day, Tuesday. (you may have to remind the Omaha air-ticketing staff that your first leg of the flight is part of your international flight and there are no baggage fees)

Independent lunch in airports Supper provided aboard plane; Overnight aboard plane

day 4 JUNE 25

Tuesday

PARIS/ NORMANDY

Breakfast provided aboard the plane 9:25am Flight Group A arrives at Charles de Gaulle Airport, clears immigration

and customs, (plan one hour to clear customs and obtain luggage) and meet Ground Coordinator. Wait in terminal and use restrooms to change attire (black polo over khakis) and freshen-up for the day. Directors (Doran, Brett, Robyn, and Jon) will board buses first, distribute chaperon seats evenly, invite the adults on to the bus, and then invite students.

10:05am Flight Group B arrives at Charles de Gaulle Airport, clears immigration and customs, (plan one hour to clear customs and obtain luggage) nd move efficiently to the buses and drive to Normandy; make sure you have your black polo over khakis in your carryon as the second arrival will not have time to change in the airport (consider changing attire shortly before landing). Directors (Doran, Brett, Robyn, and Jon) will board buses first, distribute chaperon seats evenly, invite the adults on to the bus, and then invite students.

Color Leaders board bus and organize, then invite travelers to bus; depart airport on 2 buses (Red, Green, Blue on Bus 1, Gold, Tan on Bus 2

Independent lunch near or in Rouen, depending on departure time from airport; on to Normandy 4pm MINI-CONCERT at AMERICAN CEMETERY AT NORMANDY Visit Omaha Beach, site of the June 6, 1944 massive Allied Invasion



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against Hitler’s Nazi Germany and the Axis Powers PAID dinner in a Flunch cafeteria (drinks are extra) Check in to: IBIS CAEN HÉROUVILLE ST-CLAIR 4 Quartier Savory 14200 Hérouville St-Clair/FRANCE ( 011 33 2 31 95 6000

10:30pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place Hall monitors patrol hotel 11pm Hotel quiet time—students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes

day 5 JUNE 26 Wednesday

HÉROUVILLE/ PARIS

TBA Early complimentary breakfast at the hotel (wear burgundy polo/black tux pants)

TBA Load buses/depart 11am PERFORMANCE in

NOTRE DAME of CHARTRES (the largest of all of the French Gothic Cathedrals known for being older than Paris’s famed Cathedral and also for the stunning cobalt-colored windows)

Independent lunch and free time in Paris—must stay in groups of at least four with free time in the city-center, visit the Louvre, shops, etc.

TBA Meet at TBA, walk to bus, bus to: IBIS PARIS 17 CLICHY-BATIGNOLLES 10 rue Bernard Buffet 75017 Paris/FRANCE ( 011 33 14 025 1344 10:30pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place Hall monitors patrol hotel 11pm Hotel quiet time—students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes

day 6 JUNE 27 Thursday

PARIS/ METZ/

STRASBOURG

TBA Complimentary breakfast at the hotel (wear Black polo over khaki pants) TBA Board coach, depart for the eastern provinces of France, Lorraine, and

Alsace 11am PERFORMANCE in the massive Gothic Cathedral of Metz, containing

more stained glass than any other building in the world.



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Independent lunch in the city center of Metz one block away

TBA Depart by bus to far eastern France

4pm Performance in the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg, the

dark and ornate one-steepled rose-stone cathedral with the most amazing intricate hand stone-cut façade anywhere in the world

Paid evening dinner (Tarte Flambée—French pizza but better than its Italian cousin—with French pastry croissant-like flaky bread base and French cheeses instead of Italian tomato sauce!!!!!!)

Check in to: ADAGIO STRASBOURG 106 Avenue de Strasbourg 67400 Illkrich/FRANCE ( 011 33 388 67 72 00

10pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place

Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time—students in rooms,

lights out within 30 minutes day 7

JUNE 28 Friday

STRASBOURG/ LUCERNE/

BAAR

7am Complimentary breakfast at the hotel (wear blue polo shirt over black tux pants)

8am Depart for a morning panoramic sightseeing—the famous route de vin (wine route)

Wine cave experience in Riquewihr, the crown-jewel and most beautiful of the wine route villages, travel into the same family-owned cave where little has changed from the 1500s

http://www.visit-alsace.com/riquewihr/ TBA Depart for Lucerne with plenty of time to explore one of Switzerland’s

Crown Jewels—explore the Swiss watch stores, incredible Swiss shopping with the dollar competing well with the Swiss Franc

TBA Rehearsal for Mass



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6:30pm Participate and sing in

Mass at St. Leodegar, short concert after

Independent dinner nearby

TBA Board bus Overnight at: HOTEL IBIS BAAR Bahnhofstrasse 15 CH-6340 Baar/SWITZERLAND ( 011 41 41766 7600 10pm Chaperones assigned to

room check meet in hotel lobby designated place

Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time—

students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes day 8

JUNE 29 Saturday

BAAR/ LUGANO/

COMO

TBA Complimentary breakfast at the hotel (no concert today) TBA Board buses TBA Arrive in Lugano—is there a more beautiful and serene place on the

planet? ☛ Independent dinner along

the incredible lake; on to Como; perhaps you will see Sylvester Stallone, Madonna, George Clooney or a huge host of other international stars who all own residences there.

TBA Board buses and depart for hotel; overnight at:

IBIS COMO Via Tornese 7 Grandate –

Como/ITALY ( 011 39

31/45371 Ê 011 39 31/452372 10pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time – students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes



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day 9 JUNE 30

Sunday

COMO/ BERGAMO/ VERONA/ MESTRE

TBA Complimentary breakfast at hotel, (wear burgundy polo/khaki pants) TBA Depart for Bergamo Arrive in Bergamo, trolley- tram to the upper old city/Basilica with a short rehearsal in the famous church (no, they don’t make them like they used to!!!) OMGosh!! ☛ 11am Participate & sing for Mass TBA Depart for Verona; late lunch (maybe pack a sandwich or snacks if you need). Arrive in Verona, free time, and independent dinner (by the way, we’ve heard the Italians know how to make pasta and pizza!) TBA Depart for the Venice area/hotel TBA Arrive check in to: NOVOTEL Via Alfredo Ceccherini, 21 Mestre, Venezia/ITALY ( 011 39 041 506 6511

10pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time—students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes

day 10 JULY 1 Monday

MESTRE/ VENICE/ MESTRE

This is a European Union mandated day off for the drivers (can never drive more than 10 days in a row & we need buses more than 10 days)

TBA Complimentary breakfast at the hotel, wear blue shirt with khaki pants 8am This morning you will load city buses and transfer to Venice via paid city bus for a day of shopping and independent sightseeing—a port city on the Adriatic Sea, Venice, is built on 117 islands, surrounded by 150 canals and connected by 400 bridges—all traffic is by foot through narrow walkways or by boat on the canals On the way into the center, there will be an optional stop at the Friar’s

Church where one of music history’s most famous composers is buried

Enjoy a fabulous walk from the terminal through the city where real Venetians reside—the winding streets lead past the church where Monteverdi is buried, and on to St. Mark’s Square, to the famous Rialto Bridge, the basilica, and some of the most picturesque views on the planet—some of us might sing some Monteverdi music over his



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grave Independent lunch & dinner in Venice TBA Meet in front of St. Mark’s and walk back to train terminal in color-

groups and board city buses for return to your hotel (the temperatures of day will dictate the length of stay—

it can be very hot and humid there—nothing is more important than healthy travelers and we won’t jeopardize that)

10pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time—students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes

day 11 JULY 2 Tuesday

MESTRE/ WATTENS/

MUNICH

TBA Complimentary breakfast at the hotel TBA Depart hotel TBA Arrive in Innsbruck/Wattens and visit the famous Swarovski Crystal

Factory Store Independent lunch at a famous Rosenberger’s restaurant near Innsbruck Independent dinner in the city. TBA Independent dinner Overnight at: IBIS BUDGET MÜNCHEN CITY OLYMPIAPARK Am Oberwiesenfeld 22 D- 80809 Munich/GERMANY ( 011 49 89120212720 10pm Chaperons assigned to room check will meet in head chaperon’s hotel

room Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time—students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes 11pm In rooms, lights out within 30 minutes

day 12 JULY 3

Wednesday

MUNICH

9am Complimentary breakfast at the hotel (black shirt over khaki pants) 10am Load buses and depart for city-center Munich. The majority of your day

will be free time to explore this magnificent “new” and modern city (much of it was destroyed during WWII because of its war-machine industry)

Free and low-priced educational and cultural experiences to visit and enjoy: the BMW Museum, the Deutsch Museum, the Glockenspiel in Marianplatz (city center), the 1972 Olympic Village, the viewing tower at Olympic Village, St. Peter’s tower on Marianplatz, the Hofbrauhaus. Or explore the stunningly beautiful churches and learn about their history and the historic rebuilding of Munich after WWII.

Independent lunch 5pm Arrival at St. Michael’s Church, sound check 6pm Mass and short PERFORMANCE in St. Michael’s Church (Mass at

6pm, concert at 6:50pm) Paid dinner (considered the world’s greatest goulash soup in the oldest

beer hall and mega-meal-hall) across the plaza from St. Michael’s after the service.

TBA return to hotel 10pm Chaperons assigned to room check will meet in head chaperon’s hotel



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room Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time—students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes Monitors patrol hotel

day 13 JULY 4 Thursday

MUNICH/ DACHAU/

NÜRNBERG

8am Complimentary breakfast at hotel (no formal performance today) 9am Departure for the drive to Dachau (open 9AM-5PM), the first Nazi

concentration camp, and one of the two most famous camps from WWII (see 22-minute English-language movie upon arrival—free time to visit barracks, chapels, and museums)

TBA Board coaches for day trip into the city-center of Nürnberg, the historic influential city of mid-Germany

Independent lunch TBA meet on the south side Cathedral POSSIBLE PERFORMANCE in CATHEDRAL, time allowing!!! Independent dinner in the city TBA load coaches exactly at the appointed time as the buses may not sit and

wait at this point—be early! Overnight at: IBIS NÜRNBERG HAUPTBAHNHOF Königstorgraben 9 90402 Nürnberg/GERMANY ( 011 49 91124090 10pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time—students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes

day 14 JULY 5

Friday

NÜRNBERG/ ROTHENBURG ob der TAUBER

9am Complimentary breakfast at hotel (black shirt over khaki pants) 10am Load buses and depart for the walled city of Rothenberg along the famous

Romantic Road (the trek that the Romans used to travel to England). You might find your way to the Medieval torture chamber, St. Jacob’s, the city tower, the largest Christmas store in the world, and even explore the walled garden overlooking the river below.

7pm Final official PERFORMANCE: Franziskanerkirche, Rothenburg Paid PIZZA PARTY at RESTAURANT ITALIA Overnight at: HOTEL ZUM RAPPEN Vorm Wurzburger Tor 6-10 91541 Rothenburg/GERMANY ( 011 49 9861 95710 10pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time—students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes

day 15 JULY 6 Saturday

ROTHENBURG ob der

TAUBER/ MAINZ/

RUDESHEIM

7am Complimentary breakfast at hotel 8am Depart by bus for a scenic trip along the spectacular Rhine Valley. Independent lunch in the city markets of Mainz by the old opera house Arrive in Rudesheim and enjoy the magnificent overlook above the Rhine

River 5pm PERFORMANCE for Mass at Sankt Jakobus



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TBA Check in to: HOTEL LINDENWIRT Postfach 1166 65376 Rudesheim am Rhein/GERMANY ( 011 49 6722 9130 All items need to be removed from the bus and taken to your room for

international trip packing 7:30pm PAID final night dinner party at the famous Lindenwirt dining hall (dinner

included) 10pm Chaperones assigned to room check meet in hotel lobby designated place Hall monitors patrol hotel 10:30pm Hotel quiet time – students in rooms, lights out within 30 minutes DOUBLE-CHECK ALL PACKING FOR THE TRIP BACK TO

THE U.S. day 16 JULY 7 Sunday

RUDESHEIM/ FRANKFURT

AIRPORT/ CHARLOTTE/

OMAHA

or

RUDESHEIM/ FRANKFURT

AIRPORT/ DALLAS/ OMAHA

TBA Breakfast supplied by hotel 6am Load buses / Depart for Frankfurt International Airport for return to USA 9:20am Flight Group B (Kevin Palu, flight-group leader, 15 PAX) departs

Frankfurt on American Airlines Flight #705 at 9:20am and arriving in Charlotte (CLT) at 1pm, clearing customs, switching baggage over to domestic flight, departing Charlotte on American Airlines Flight #4579 at 3:45pm for Omaha (OMA) arriving at 5:21pm the same day.

10:55am Flight Group A (Doran Johnson, flight-group leader, 63 PAX) departs Frankfurt on American Airlines Flight #71 at 10:55am and arriving in Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW) at 2:50pm, clearing customs, switching baggage over to domestic flight, departing DFW on American Airlines Flight #356 at 4:46pm for Omaha (OMA) arriving at 6:32pm the same day.

REMEMBER, YOU WILL CLEAR CUSTOMS IN YOUR FIRST U.S. ARRIVAL CITY DURING YOUR RETURN. YOU WILL NEED TO DECLARE GOODS, MANUALLY TRANSFER ALL OF YOUR BAGS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TO A NEW DOMESTIC FLIGHT HEADED TO OMAHA. BOARD YOUR NEXT FLIGHT FOR OMAHA. YOUR BAGS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE TAGGED FOR OMAHA BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO PHYSICALLY TAKE THEM WITH YOU AS YOU GO THROUGH U.S. CUSTOMS AND ANOTHER SECURITY CHECKPOINTS. Make sure that your parents or contacts are aware that you should

be picked up at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield.

MANY, MANY HAPPY MEMORIES!



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PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING EXCERPTS FROM YOUR TOUR HANDBOOK:

GROUND COORDINATOR: The individual accompanying your tour is the business liaison with the coach driver and all other suppliers, facilitating the day-to-day arrangements pertaining to your particular tour, as confirmed by your contract. The Ground Coordinator is instructed to sit in the front of the lead coach, within easy access of the driver and the public address system in the coach. The Ground Coordinator's primary function is a business one, not to be confused with a translator or guide. Individual requests are to be directed to, and channeled through one of the group color leaders who are the coordinator's main contact. Since this is a group tour, it is necessary that the needs of the individual participants be subjugated to the needs of the group as a whole. Regretfully, the Ground Coordinator is unable to accept any responsibility/liability for lost luggage, passports, medical emergencies, and other similar activities that are clearly the responsibility and domain of the individual herself/himself.

DEVIATIONS: Those choosing to make deviations from this trip, do so at their own expense.

YOUR ITINERARY AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS: All times listed are ‘approximate’ and subject to change depending upon airline schedule, road conditions, traffic, weather, “acts of God, etc. Times are based on average traveling speeds and are local.

Each participant is limited to one suitcase not to exceed 62 dimensional inches (length + width + height) and not to exceed 35 pounds—NO EXCEPTIONS (yes, many airlines may have larger international weight limits. They DO NOT consider whether you are traveling to-or-from, nor do they consider how many suitcases can fit in a European bus—[only 45 suitcases fit onto a 45-passenger European bus], nor do they consider gifts purchased in Europe, nor do they consider the fact that dirty clothes on the return trip weigh more than clean clothes taken to Europe). DO NOT EXCEED 35 pounds on your U.S. to Europe flight. Any charge levied by the airline and/or coach company for excess baggage must be borne by the individual tour participant. The best travelers know how to travel lightly. Also be aware of differences between airlines and their descriptions of carry-on luggage size. Any expense for overage in carry-on luggage is borne by the traveler. A common suitcase scale is a wise investment and can be shared. EUROPEAN COACH REGULATIONS: Every three hours the bus electronic tachygraph system should record a 15-minute rest stop for the driver(s)—these vary greatly from U.S. bus laws and regulations.

n Lunch stops must register a minimum of one hour and travelers do not have access to the bus—it will be locked. All travelers must exit the bus.

n There can be no sitting or lying down in the aisles. Typically, the travelers are to wear their seat belts (European Union laws).

n Driver sleeping time must register on a minimum of 11 consecutive hours; three times a week this could be reduced to 9 consecutive hours.

n Maximum working hours: 9 n Drivers and buses must record a full-day break with no more than 10 consecutive days of driving. The 10th

day must be a break day or a non-driving day (European Union laws) n All travelers are responsible for removal of any trash in their area—Europeans have moved away from uses of

plastic bags and are in the process of eliminating all single-use plastics by the year 2021. n Unlike the U.S., EU coach drivers MUST keep a perfectly accurate log of total passengers aboard; if there is

any deviation (for instance, a choir traveler deviates for even a small portion of the trip with family) the driver must be made aware so that it can be logged accurately.

n Bus leaders (or those designated to count bus riders) must remain near the front of the bus actively involved in getting travelers seated, counted, and reported to bus leader and driver.



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LASTLY, YOU WILL BE A HAPPIER/BETTER ADJUSTED TRAVELER IF YOU KNOW/UNDERSTAND: ü Other savvy travelers will spot large traveling groups and try hard to avoid getting in line behind you and

waiting. They will cut in line. Try to keep our groups together and keep the distance between us close. Politeness is great; however, you could ‘polite yourself’ into having our groups split and elongating your wait and queue time.

ü All doors in the U.S. swing out; that is not the case in other countries; be aware. ü Neck pillows, foam or the blow-up variety, are very handy for lengthy plane and bus rides. ü Some cities, in the spirit of encouraging bikers instead of cars, have prominent bike paths on the

sidewalks or next to the street, right where those exiting a bus step to the ground; if you are on the bike path and are hit by a biker, it is your fault—remember you are a visitor and subject to local laws. Be vigilant.

ü There is a myth that you will adjust to jet-lag faster if you begin the trip tired or fatigued; nothing is farther from the truth. Start rested and understand why some of the initial trip curfews are a bit earlier than you would be accustomed. A rested traveler is a happier traveler. Many frequent international time-zone travelers help their physical adjustment the first week by supplementing their mornings with an Emergen-C type product. It can take a full 24-hour day to adjust for every hour that you change.

ü There is absolutely no way that we can have time at every location that lasts until the final person is bored with it. This trip is a sampling of incredible locations. Someone will always be disappointed that we’re leaving a little earlier than they’d like.

ü Plan on hot weather, cool weather, wet weather, and humidity. We are from the Midwest, we understand—dressing in layers is most comfortable for a long day. And remember, umbrellas usually do not protect your shoes or feet (especially from puddles). Shoes that can withstand moisture are your best choice.

ü Europeans are not accustomed to the air-conditioning that we expect in the U.S. If is 90 degrees F, their air-conditioning might lower it to 80, instead of the 68-70 that we expect. Europeans dress for it. However, the buses are meant to be comfortable for Americans. If you would like the temps adjusted in the bus, ask politely but understand that some might disagree with you. That is where dressing in layers comes in handy.

ü Having some chosen snack-bars packed in your carry-on WILL come in handy if your diet and eating needs are particular or fussy. And we will have moments of traffic congestion or get caught in traffic jams: it's the nature of travel. And don’t ask your driver how much longer we will be stopped in traffic.

ü Europeans protect their bees. They believe that when the bees are gone, there will be nothing left to pollinate food for humans. If a bee appears on the bus, do not aggravate it but allow the driver to safely remove it from the premises.

ü All buses and large vehicles in Europe have auto-recorders (digital Takygraphs) that electronically save all travel and movement data for weeks. Controllers and police can (and do) ask to see recorded data at any time. If a driver is caught in any overage, the bus will be shut down with a huge fine. The driver cannot claim the overage was because of traffic jams, tardy passengers, or delays because of road construction—the police will tell them that road construction and traffic accidents are all part of travel, and drivers must plan ahead. Never make a bus depart late.

ü Seatbelts are required in all of Europe—both buses and cars. Unlike the United States, if the car or bus is stopped and someone is not wearing the seatbelt, the “individual” is responsible for the €90 fine, not the driver; if you do not wear the seatbelt, it is at your own risk. Be informed.

ü In the spirit of keeping the trip moving expeditiously, use the bus trash cans for trash, or trash cans outside of the bus. Deposit your trash outside of the bus into cans before boarding bus; assist the driver in removing trash from the bus. A good rule of thumb: the bus is their castle and ‘home-away from home.’

ü When someone starts speaking on the bus microphone, politely ensure the bus is quiet so all can hear instructions—even if you can hear the instructions, ensure everyone is listening—all it takes is someone else missing instructions to cause a late departure. Late departures translate into missed opportunities. Often, the instructions might be clarifying the TBA times or CHANGES.

ü In the U.S., we do not allow smoking in restaurants. That is not the case in other countries.



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ü Unless it is a canine to assist the sight-challenged or a prescribed emotional support dog, pets are not allowed by law in restaurants and other food-service areas in the U.S. That is not the case in other countries.

ü Complimentary water at the dinner table comes in a variety of types; however, just like in the U.S., restaurants will encourage you to ‘buy’ water. Be aware and prepared.

ü When the itinerary says “Independent dinner,” here’s what that means: your small group of at least 4 thoughtfully chooses from an endless number of venues. There are so many, it would be unwise to make any special recommendations here. Just remember, do try to choose something that is NOT a familiar American trademark name. Also, ‘tis very wise to avoid surprises; be sure your group checks prices before you wander in and sit down. Many of the outdoor and beautiful cafés have pricy cover-charges or exorbitant drink prices because you are paying for the atmosphere and are presumed to be a wealthy tourist who sits without thinking/inquiring. Or… to look at it a European way, a sidewalk or plaza café is so very French and Italian. It’s great fun, though the price of a coffee or soft drink will be a real shock! You see, in effect, you’re renting a temporary piece of popular real estate. The French/Italians believe that a beverage purchase entitles your visit to last as long as one wishes—that it’s a God-given right to sip, to read, write, lounge, talk, surf the internet, people-watch for as long as you’d like. Hence, there’s a high price attached to the beverage or snack—and they will not bring your bill (that would be rudely American) until you request it.

ü For paid meals, we sit down together, we eat together, and then we leave together after all drink bills are covered at your table.

ü Grocery stores can be great fun as an alternative to sit-down independent restaurants. Supermarkets have not caught-on like they have in the U.S., but they certainly are beginning to roost there. Europeans still think the Americans are a bit crazy that they need an entire aisle of toothpaste products; Europeans still like their tiny neighborhood grocery, and they stop in on their way home from work to buy only the very freshest produce for this evening’s meal. They happen to like their culture. The preparation of food is an art, and a sit-down meal is an event.

ü There will be huge auto-route lunch or dinner stops. It’s part of any travel. There will be hundreds of choices. People will be overwhelmed at first but there is food for everyone. Be aware of getting in long lines 1 minute before departure.

ü Fast food is part of the American culture; it is not part of the European culture, albeit, it is growing slowly. There is a plethora of U.S. interstate exits where one can pull the bus off and find a corner with a McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Arby’s, and other fast food choices; these autobahn exits do not exist in Europe.

ü Room keys—some plastic and some plastic with extra encoding devises, often are to be returned to the hotel desk upon departure; be prepared and be attentive so that the bus departures are not delayed.

ü In many hotels, you will need your room key to re-enter the building, to use the elevator, or to activate your room lights (the key must be inserted into a key-slot right by the room door). When you leave, you exit with the key which extinguishes all room lights.

ü When entering any hotel anywhere, take note of at least two exits in the event of a fire alarm. ü Each and every time you exit a location for the last time, pause and think about your camera, your

chargers, your iPad, your phone, your alarm, your clothing on the back of the bathroom door, your clothing in closets, your items in hotel drawers, etc. Especially think about the whereabouts of your passport and currency/credit cards.

ü When departing hotels, your bus leaders will walk the bus aisle and ask for you to dignify your passport’s location; a simple “pat and prove,” or outline the shape within its confines. Do not remove it. It’s a habit a bit hard to cultivate. Replacing lost passports is definitely not a fun thing to do, very expensive, and very time-consuming! Don’t go there!

ü Rest the very best you can in the hotels. Bus sleepy-heads will miss stunning scenery and iconic sites. ü Bottles of water in the hotel rooms are never complementary and always very overpriced. If you want a

bottle of water, take one with you from the bus bar.



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ü Use your hotel bathrooms to the max. They are usually the cleanest, safest, and most private (and cost effective—FREE). Any plane, bus, or moving mode of transportation that possesses restrooms emits very unpleasant odors if used. Don’t ask where the public restrooms are in 800-year-old Cathedrals—there are none. Most restaurants have restrooms available to their patrons; don’t overlook these possibilities. Remember, many public restrooms have a fee in Europe. Have Euro change. Sadly, in the EU’s effort to be ‘green’ and ‘naturally sustainable,’ they have not made the bus restroom chemicals less toxic, nor the bus tanks larger—but they have made the bus dumping stations fewer-and-farther-between (and ridiculously expensive) with long lines—we don’t think anyone came to Europe to sit in bus lines to have their buses dumped. The bus restrooms will be locked and are to be used for emergencies only.

ü Lastly, enjoy people-watching. How are Americans different than French? Different from the Italian? There will be times when you will think to yourself “I wish the Europeans would do it like we do.” Or eventually, “I wish we had that in America,” or “Why don’t WE do it this way?” The bottom line is: we will all learn from each other in this shrinking world, however, it is extra special to go to France and have it not be like NYC or Omaha. Enjoy that while it lasts.

Leave one itinerary at home for family members; place another in your music (or tour) folder.

Please discard any previously dated itineraries as that information will be out of date.

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