Itinerary

European Heritage 2006
WH 06/25-1 Updated 07/11/06

Day 1

Tuesday, June 27
Depart For Paris to England
Greet your fellow Ambassadors in your departure city before boarding your international, overnight flight to Paris, France.

Day 2

Wednesday, June 28
Swindon, England
Welcome to Paris! Upon arrival in Paris, your People to People Delegation Manager will greet you. Unfortunately, you will not have time to see Paris today, but do not worry, you’ll be back! You will have transportation across the English Channel. Actually, it is under the English Channel! You will cruise at high speeds on the Eurostar, famous for traveling through the ‘Chunnel’. You will be stopping off before London where a motor coach will finish your journey to Swindon, England. It is much closer to tomorrow’s activities and to your home stays. This gives us more time with our adventures and less time getting there!

Day 3

Thursday, June 29
Home Stay, England
Enjoy the outdoors with some adventure activities by challenging yourself with high ropes team activity or river rafting for instance. If school is in session, you may have the opportunity to spend the day in an English classroom.
This evening you will meet your home stay family. Learn about British home life and meet the locals. This is your opportunity to make lifelong friends!

Day 4

Friday, June 30
Home Stay, England
Explore the beautiful city of Bath - home to Britain’s only natural hot spring, with waters flowing at a constant temperature of 115 degrees. The Celtic King Bladud discovered the Royal Baths in 860 BC. He realized the spring’s curative powers by imitating his pigs and rolling around in the hot mud! By the 18th century, Bath was the most famous spa town in England. At the Royal Baths, you can still see Roman architecture remaining from the 1st century settlement. In the city, look closely at the plaques on the houses. You may notice that several bear the names of famous people who lived there.
Today will be the last evening you spend with your home stay family. Be sure to write a thank you note and leave it with your hosts, or mail it to them right away.
Don’t forget to exchange address information so you can keep in touch!

Day 5

Saturday, July 1
Overnight Ferry to France
This morning explore the medieval city of Salisbury, home to a beautiful cathedral that has the tallest spire in England (404 feet). You will discover Stonehenge. See the famous stones that have been standing for roughly five thousand years. Although their purpose is still not clear, the position of the stones leaves little doubt that the circle is connected with the sun and the passing of the seasons, and that its builders possessed a sophisticated knowledge of arithmetic and astronomy. Later, journey to Portsmouth, where you will catch the overnight ferry across the English Channel to France.


Day 6

Sunday, July 2
Paris, France
Bonjour et Bienvenue en France! Your first experience of France starts when you arrive early in Caen, located in the Normandy region of France. Continue on to Omaha Beach. In the course of an educational meeting you will see the Normandy American Cemetery and the beaches where the Allied troops landed on D-Day in June 1944, bringing the liberation of France. Head toward the Memorial Museum in Caen where you will learn about peace after World War II. Finally, leave Normandy and travel across the lush, pastoral landscape to Paris, the capital of France.

Day 7

Monday, July 3
Paris, France
Set out for an orientation of Paris, the city Ernest Hemingway called “a moveable feast,” because “wherever you go for the rest of your life, Paris stays with you.” Visit one of the most unforgettable places in Europe, Notre Dame Cathedral, which took two centuries to complete. Point Zéro, the spot from which all road distances are measured in France, is found in the courtyard in front of Notre Dame. In the afternoon enjoy a guided exploration of one of the most important art collections in the world, the famous Musée du Louvre. Since it would take at least three weeks to see all the wonderful treasures held inside, you will visit only the principal parts of the museum—including a look at Leonardo’s masterpiece, Mona Lisa! Later stop in the historic Montmartre area, a haven for artists and writers before WWI. Marvel at the white Basilique du Sacré Coeur. Did you know that the dome is the second highest point in Paris?

Day 8

Tuesday, July 4
Paris, France
Explore the magnificent Château de Versailles. Built during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, it was the seat of the royal court from 1682 to 1789, when the French Revolution put an end to the monarchy. For a dazzling view of the city, there is only one place to go up! Take the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower (899 feet!), built for the 1889 World’s Fair to commemorate the French Revolution. After that, climb aboard a bateaux, or riverboat, for a cruise along the Seine. Notre Dame Cathedral seen from the river is an unforgettable sight, but the impressive size and masterful art inside will leave you in awe.

Day 9

Wednesday, July 5
Bruges, Belgium
Au revoir La France! Start the short journey to Ypres (pronounced “eepr”), Belgium. This city was completely demolished during the First World War. In the 1920s, it was carefully and convincingly reconstructed to its original state. For a glimpse into the horrors of WWI, step into the “In Flanders Fields Museum.” Opened in 1998, the museum is as devoted to the promotion of peace as it is to the remembrance of war. Then, you will visit the Menin Gate. This memorial is inscribed with the names of 55,000 soldiers in memory of those who fought and died in WWI. Continue to Bruges (Brugge in Flemish), one of Europe's most delightful cities. Visit a Belgian chocolate maker for an educational briefing. Perhaps the chocolate maker will let you sample some of the products! Then we explore the city by horse and carriage! Known as the “Venice of the North,” the ornate center of Bruges has changed very little in the last five hundred years.

Day 10

Thursday, July 6
The Hague, Netherlands
Say goodbye to Bruges and Belgium, and head for the Netherlands. En route to Amsterdam, view Kinderdijk, a famous 17th century Dutch heritage Windmill Park. There you will experience
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the Dutch lifestyle up-close with a bike ride through the park. Learn how the Dutch have used windmills to pump water off the land. Even though Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands, Den Haag (The Hague) is the seat of government and the residence of the Royal Family. Enjoy the stately mansions and regal embassies as you stroll down the grand boulevards to the Peace Palace. See the International Court of Justice (only from outside), the main judicial body of the United Nations. Founded in 1946, the World Court is where countries go to settle their disputes.

Day 11

Friday, July 7
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Enjoy a full day in Amsterdam and its surroundings! In an educational presentation learn about a group of eight people forced into hiding and their story portrayed through the diary of Anne Frank. See Anne Frank’s House and read how she and her family hid from the Nazis for years during WWII. Before lunch take in the views on a canal cruise and explore the city with your delegation. Afterwards, journey to the little town of Amstelveen where you'll even get to see demonstrations of how cheese and wooden clogs are made! Have a rockin’ and rollin’ good time at the Hard Rock Café, amidst its fascinating collection of music memorabilia.

Day 12

Saturday, July 8
Koblenz, Germany
Willkommen in Deutschland! As you head east into Germany, stop at Cologne for lunch and explore the city with your delegation. The Gothic cathedral St. Peter and Mary with its characteristic spires is Colognes landmark. Did you know that it is the sepulchral church of the three Magi? In the early afternoon, continue your journey to Koblenz where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Day 13

Sunday, July 9
Heidelberg, Germany
Start your day with a cruise on the Rhine River. Linked by several canals and other rivers in Western Europe, the Rhine is one of the most important waterways in Germany. Your cruise will lead you past many small castles and the famous Lorelei. Rejoin your coach in the little town of St. Goar and continue to Heidelberg, a charming city in southwestern Germany. Take time to explore the famous city before dinner.

Day 14

Monday, July 10
Freiburg, Germany
Continue on to the enchanting university town of Freiburg, on the edge of the legendary Schwarzwald, or the Black Forest, described by the Romans as an impenetrable wilderness. Get to know the vibrant city of Freiburg on a walk through the narrow, winding streets. Look for the “Bächle”, tiny canals that flow along the sidewalks. Can you guess what they were used for long ago? Don’t forget to have a look at the famous university. In the afternoon, take part in a community service project—a great People to People opportunity! Lend a hand with an environmental project at a local river.

Day 15

Tuesday, July 11
Lucerne, Switzerland
Take part in an official meeting in the town hall of Breitnau. A member of the city council will welcome you in the region of Freiburg and the Black Forest. To make your visit to a traditional German farm unforgettable, you will be competing in our Farm Olympics! Test your skills against your fellow delegates in bowling, cow milking, cream whipping and many other outrageous activities. Attend a cuckoo clock workshop and find out about this local craft, perhaps you will learn some of its secrets! Later continue your journey to Switzerland.


Day 16

Wednesday, July 12
Lucerne, Switzerland
In the morning, travel to Berne the capital of Switzerland. Explore this medieval city, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, with your Delegation Manager. Later learn about the Swiss tradition of woodcarving. The Living museum shows the world’s largest collection of antique Swiss woodcarvings and an impressive display of antique music boxes and music machines form the last two centuries. A look at the workshops for woodcarving, music-box making and harp production gives an authentic impression of traditional arts and crafts. In the afternoon discover the medieval city of Lucerne, located in the heart of Switzerland. Stroll along the picturesque Kapellbrücke, the wooden bridge spanning Lake Lucerne, and have a look at the Lion Monument, dedicated to the Swiss soldiers who died in the French Revolution (1792).

Day 17

Thursday, July 13
Zurich, Switzerland
Continue up into the majestic Alps of Switzerland, where you will ascend the Pilatus Mountain (6,994 feet) by gondola. At the top, enjoy a picnic with spectacular views of the Swiss Alps. After refreshing yourself, descend to Alpnachstad with the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. Continue to Zurich the largest city in Switzerland. Here you will have the possibility to buy some souvenirs and chocolate for your family.

Day 18

Friday, July 14
London, England
Today we head back to the UK to pick up where we left off. You will be traveling through the European countryside today by train. Arrive later in the evening to your special floating accommodation, the Sunborn Yacht Hotel.

Day 19

Saturday, July 15
London, England
Set out this morning with Alan, your English guide, for a discovery of the city’s most historic sights. See the colorful and musical Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the residence and office of Britain’s monarchs since 1837. Enjoy an entertaining medieval banquet before exploring the Tower of London, which now houses the stunning Crown Jewels. Just try to take your eyes off those dazzling gems! In times past, the Tower was used as a fortress, a royal residence, an armory, a treasury and a prison! After dinner, enjoy one of London’s most popular West End shows.

Day 20

Sunday, July 16
London, England
You’ve seen the city from the ground, but this morning, you will have a birds eye view when you take a flight on the London Eye, the largest Ferris wheel in the world (443 feet!). Be prepared for a fantastic panoramic view of London. This afternoon you get to experience the thrill or chill at England’s Thorpe Park!

Day 21

Monday, July 17
London, England
This morning, learn about Shakespeare and theater as you explore the Globe Theatre. Then enjoy an exhibition with a Shakespearian actor. Following lunch, there will be time to stroll the many shops and watch the entertainers in the lively Covent Garden. Later, attend an educational meeting with a member of the British parliament. This is a unique opportunity and a true honor for Student Ambassadors. Make sure you come prepared with some questions.

Day 22

Tuesday, July 18
Depart for the U.S.A.
Pack up your suitcase for the last time and board the coach for the airport. Remember to complete your program evaluations and exchange friendship cards with your fellow Ambassadors! Goodbye, Europe!