Europe - Summer 1984 - 7 Countries\18 Days

Marguerite had received information from her church regarding a packaged tour in Europe, including a special production of the Passion Play in Oberammergau. The original plans were to travel to Europe to see the play; and then on to Israel.  Because of the fighting that had begun to take place, it was recommended that travel plans not include travel within Israel.

Since the tour began in London, they decided to fly into London a day early and tour the sights on their own.  After arranging for passports and transportation, their flight took them to Atlanta and then an overnight, connecting flight to London, England. They arrived at Gatwick International Airport and were not certain which form of transportation to take to the hotel.  First lesson learned -- buy currency ahead of time for the country you will be visiting.  In order to make a phone call, it was necessary to add change every few minutes in order to complete the call.  Without success, they hailed a taxi and headed into London proper.  After checking into the hotel, they took a tour of the city on one of the double-decker buses. The tour gave them an overall view of the area – including Tower Bridge, House of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.  Because of the overnight flight, Marguerite had trouble staying awake, and Bev had to nudge her when they passed one of the tourist sights.

They purchased a day pass and ventured out on the London subway system. The lady at the hotel had been kind enough to explain the costs, where to purchase tickets, and where to find the entrance. 

This allowed them to stop and visit many of the sights. Trafalgar Square was the first. In the middle of the square is a statue honoring England’s military hero Admiral Nelson. They passed by Royal Buckingham Palace in time to see the changing of the guard. Next it was off to the Tower of London to see the royal jewels.

From here they took the subway to see Wesley’s Chapel, House and Museum of Methodism. “John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, established this church in 1778 as his London base. Wesley, who rode on horseback throughout the English countryside and preached in the open air, lived at no. 47, next door to the chapel. He's buried in a grave behind the chapel. The house contains many of Wesley's belongings and his study chair. While it survived the Blitz, the church later fell into disrepair; major restoration was completed in the 1970s. In the crypt, a museum traces the history of Methodism to present times.”

Next stop on the subway was St. Paul’s Cathedral. Because of the location of some of these sites, it was necessary to take the subway that crossed under the Thames River; being the lowest of all the subways in the area. The escalator appears to be perpendicular when descending to its entrance. St. Paul’s Cathedral was designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren; being completed in 1711. Known as one of the largest churches in the world.

One cannot visit England without stopping in one of the pubs for some ale. The rest was welcomed.  Although the day was long, it gave Marguerite and Bev a nice overview of the city.

The remainder of the trip was booked as a tour through Insight.  Bev and Marguerite took a taxi toTrafalgar Square where they would meet the remainder of the tour group.  The tour group consisted of about 40 passengers from various parts of the globe, with the Americans being in the minority.  Other countries represented were Australia, New Zealand, Canada, China, and Spain.  Marguerite and Bev spent a lot of time with a couple from Australia (her name was Beverly) and two gals from Canada.

They left London via motorcoach for Dover, where they would catch the hovercraft flight to France. It was impressive to see the ‘white cliffs’ that were so often referenced when discussion World War II. Once across the channel, the motorcoach traveled through Belgium into Germany. There was a brief lunch stop along the motorway. The route traveled through Bonn, capital of West Germany and birthplace of Beethoven. The overnight stay was in Koenigswinter where the group would board a steamer the next day for their Rhine Cruise.  There was a “Welcome to Europe” cocktail party at the hotel.  Marguerite informed everyone that it was Bev’s birthday; so they offered her a toast.

The steamer cruised along the most scenic portion of the Rhine passing vineyards, small towns, ancient castles, and past Lorelei Rock, where “sailors are said to have perished on a siren’s call.” While on the cruise Marguerite recognized someone from her hometown of Haxtun, CO.

After leaving the steamer, the group rejoined the coach and traveled to Heidelberg, known as the city of the ‘Student Prince.” Here sightseeing included the view of the old city from the heights of the famous castle fortress. The group then traveled to Munich, the fun loving capital of Bavaria. From here, those attending the Passion Play performance continued on to Oberammergau.  

The entire town of Oberammergau takes part in the Passion Play in some manner or another. Many of the individuals opened up their homes as bed and breakfasts during the event. Marguerite and Bev's lodging was in one of these homes. The entire town of Oberammergau is immaculately maintained; even the stacks of wood were straight and positioned the same on each of the porches. The buildings were painted with beautiful artwork. Meals were served as the hostess’s breakfast nook; and, the beds will covered with down-filled comforters. 

The Play was originally staged in the graveyard of the church, in view of the graves of those who had died of the plague. However, as more individuals heard of the play and came to watch, the venue needs to be changed. A permanent stage was built in 1815, but needed to be remodeled because when it rained spectators would get wet because umbrellas were not allowed. In 1890, a new theatre was built with a six-arched hall that could hold 4,000 spectators. The theatre was once again enlarged for the 300th anniversary in 1934; and while it was considered ugly and uncomfortable, it was praised for its superb acoustics and sight of the stage. A break is taken midway through the seven hour production and lunch is served.

The Passion Play was an all day event. In 1633, when Oberammergau was in the grip of the black plague, the inhabitants took an oath that they would stay a performance of the bitter suffering of Jesus Christ every ten years. The oath was fulfilled for the first time in 1634. For hundreds of years, in spite of dangers and threats, they kept their solemn promise. Pilgrims had come to see the play from all over the world. The 1984 performance was staged to mark the 350th anniversary.

After the play was over, Bev and Marguerite were reminded of the town's involvement in the production, when Marguerite spotted "Judas" as the storekeeper where they were shopping.  From Oberammergau the group was reunited in Innsbruck. The motorcoach then traveled across the enormous Europa Bridge (the highest in Europe) and then over Brenner Pass into Italy. Although the motorcoach had to stop for customs, everything appeared to be in order and the group continued on to Verona.

Verona, Italy is known as the home of the legendary Romeo and Juliet. The tour stopped at the Roman Capulet House with its famous balcony. Before continuing on, the group stopped for lunch. When asked about ordering a pizza, the tour guide explained that the pizza as known outside of Italy is not the same. When ordering an Italian pizza, one would receive only dough with baked tomato sauce and not all of the trimmings that many were used to getting.

The motorcoach entered the autostrada and headed for the next destination. Venice is known as the “Queen of the Adriatic” The group would be staying here for two nights. The city stretches across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. The saltwater lagoon stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po (south) and the Piave (north) Rivers. There are 160 canals and approximately 400 bridges.

The largest of the waterways is the Grand Canal. It is lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th centry. The noble venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; the contest among them revealed the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon. Because most of the city’s traffic goes along the Canal rather than across it, only one bridge crossed the canal until the 19th century. The Rialto Bridge stands at the busiest commercial zone of the city.

In contrast, the canal called Rio della Canoica is crossed by five bridges, which link the heart of the city with the Basin of St Mark’s. The Bridge of Sighs is one of the five. It is made of white limestone and has windows with stone bars. It passed over the Rio and connects the old prisons with the interrogation rooms. The view is said to be the last the convicts have before their imprisonment.

The hotel accommodations for the entire trip were comfortable and clean.  Although many were located in unique settings, most of the hotels were similar to those in the United States, many having restaurants on the premises.  The one thing that European hotels had that are not found in the United States are the extra bathroom fixtures.  The bidet was present in all of the hotels throughout Europe.  Bathrooms did not need to be shared. 

The first day, Marguerite and Bev took a gondola ride through the canals of the city. Depending on the size of the area around each of the buildings, some entrances\exits can only be reached by water. Others have walking areas between the buildings; and, then are connected to other areas of the city by bridges.

St Marks Square is the focal point of the city. In ancient times it was a market place; but is now a gathering place for people and bird watchers. One cannot walk through the square without setting off a flurry of birds. Once can sit and have coffee or wine and enjoy the view of the many tourists and locals as they hustle through the day.

Next to St Marks Square is the Ducal Palace. The current palace was largely constructed from 1309 to 1324. The palazzo's principal function was to provide a space for the government to carry out its civic responsibilities to its people. The palace was also the residence of the Doge of Venice. The Doge was the chief magistrate and leader of the Most Serene Republic of Venice for over a thousand years. Doges of Venice were elected for life by the city-state's aristocracy. Commonly the person selected as Doge was the shrewdest elder in the city.

St Mark’s Basilica was initially built between 828 and 832 but was devasted by fire in 976 and rebuilt in 1063 in the Byzantine style. Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral. Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice.

The group rejoined again for a tour of a glass-blowing factory. Everyone was treated to the art of how the glass is blown and shaped into the many styles that one sees in the shops throughout the city.

The group then boarded a motorboat for a trip along the Grand Canal and then a lagoon cruise. The group traveled to San Francesco del Deserto. The island was frequented since Roman times. In 1220, St. Francis landed here at his return from the Holy Land during the Fifth Crusade, and founded a hermitage here. After his death, St. Francis of Assisi was buried on the island and the island was given to the Minorites by the Venetian patrician Jacopo Michiel, a relative of the patriarch of Grado, Angelo Barozzi, to found a convent. During the Austrian rule of Venice the island, abandoned due to its unhealthy characteristics, was used a powder depot. In 1858 it was donated to the diocese of Venice, who allowed the friars to refound a convent here.  Marguerite was very impressed with the stone chapel that had been originally constructed when St Francis was here.

From here the group went to Burano – the island of fishermen – where the group did some shopping and had dinner. Marguerite remembers the older women who were selling embroidery and how they were dressed in long dresses and head scarves.  Dinner gave Bev and Marguerite their first taste of squid.

The next morning everyone boarded the motorcoach for a trip south to Rome. The journey followed the Adige and Po Rivers, and then passed by the towns of Padua and Bologna. The route traversed the Appenine Mountains, the highest of which is La Citerna where the German Army formed its Gothic Line in the closing stages of the last war. From the wine producing Hills of Chianti, the journey continued along the River Tiber into Rome. The group would be staying here for two nights.

The first night there was a tour that took the group to Trevi Fountain (Three Coins in a Fountain fame), along Via Veneto (one of the most famous and expensive streets in Rome) and to the city square of Piazza Navona where one could see three of Rome’s famous sculptures – Fontana del Moro with a basin and four Tritons and a later addition of a statue of a Moor wrestling with a dolphin, the Fountain of the four Rivers with Egyptian obelisk, and the Fountain of Neptune.

Coming back from the tour, the group noticed that cars were parked 3-deep in front of some of the restaurants. Although not legal, this was common practice because parking spaces were so in demand. One had to hope that if they had an inside parking spot that the others would leave before they did.

Before boarding the motorcoach, travelers were surprised by the gypsies that had located themselves outside the entrance to the hotel. Although they looked like innocent families, all ages were skilled as pickpockets. The tour guide had previously warned everyone of keeping their valuables close. There was a Chinese doctor and his wife in the group.  When the gypsies tried to take his camera case, he pushed them off.  Marguerite remembers his wife saying, “He’s strong."

The following day there was a motorcoach ride through Rome. The first stop was the Colosseum. Huge in size, it was surprising to find that the interior had been filled with catacombs that covered the bottom area. When one thinks of the colosseum, they think of the chariot races and other events that took place so long ago. The building was the largest ever built in the Roman Empire and reflects Roman architecture and engineering. The building was capable of seating 50,000 spectators. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

The motorcoach drove past the Victor Emmanuel Monument. The monument was inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1935 as a tribute to the first king of a unified Italy. The monument also holds the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame, built under the statue of Italy after World War I. It is clearly visible to most of the city of Rome despite being boxy in general shape and lacking a dome or a tower. The monument is also glaringly white, making it highly conspicuous amidst the generally brownish buildings surrounding it, and its stacked, crowded nature has lent it several nicknames including “the wedding cake.”

The next stop was the Pantheon. The building is circular with a portico of three ranks of huge granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment opening into the rotunda, under a coffered, concrete dome, with a central opening (oculus) to the sky. The original Pantheon was a rectangular temple built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, son-in-law of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, as part of a district renewal plan in 27-25 BC. It was rebuilt again between 118 and 125 AD. The portico in front is what remains of the original temple. The Pantheon contains the tombs of Rafael and of several Italian Kings. Pantheon is a Greek word meaning "to honor all Gods."

The Roman Forum is a small open rectangle surrounded by the ruins of ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Many of the oldest and most important structures of the ancient city were located on or near the Forum. For centuries it was the center of Roman public life; the site of triumphal processions and elections, venue for public speeches and nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city's great men. It has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world. Although still attracting sightseers, today it is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and archeological excavations.

The Vatican", is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, the capital city of Italy. It has an area of approximately 110 acres, and a population of just over 800. Almost all of Vatican City's citizens either live inside the Vatican's walls or serve in the Holy See's diplomatic service in embassies around the world. The Vatican citizenry consists almost entirely of two groups: clergy, most of whom work in the service of the Holy See, and a very few as officials of the state; and the Swiss Guard. Most of the 3,000 lay workers who comprise the majority of the Vatican workforce reside outside the Vatican and are citizens of Italy, while a few are citizens of other nations. As a result, all of the City's actual citizens are Catholic as are all the places of worship.

The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and speaks for the whole Catholic Church. It is also recognized by other subjects of international law as a sovereign entity, headed by the Pope, with which diplomatic relations can be maintained. Although it is often referred to by the term "the Vatican", the Holy See is not the same entity as the Vatican City State, which came into existence only in 1929, while the Holy See, the episcopal see of Rome, dates back to early Christian times. Ambassadors are officially accredited not to the Vatican City State but to "the Holy See", and papal representatives to states and international organizations are recognized as representing the Holy See, not the Vatican City State.

St. Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people. It is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic sites. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom". In Catholic tradition, the basilica is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. Tradition and some historical evidence hold that Saint Peter's tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica.

Vatican City is home to some of the most famous art in the world. St. Peter's Basilica, whose successive architects include Bramante, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Maderno and Bernini is a renowned work of Renaissance architecture. The Sistine Chapel is famous for its frescos, which include works by Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Botticelli as well as the ceiling and Last Judgement by Michelangelo. Artists who decorated the interiors of the Vatican include Raphael and Fra Angelico. The Vatican Library and the collections of the Vatican Museums are of the highest historical, scientific and cultural importance.

Sistine Chapel is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture and its decoration that was frescoed throughout by the greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and Sandro Botticelli. Under the patronage of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo painted 12,000 square feet of the chapel ceiling between 1508 and 1512. A large portion of his painting had to be done while Michelangelo was laying on his back.  He resented the commission, and believed his work only served the Pope's need for grandeur. However, today the ceiling, and especially The Last Judgement, is widely believed to be Michelangelo's crowning achievement in painting.

That evening the group was driven to the Villa d’Este in Tivoli for dinner and music. Before dinner the group had the opportunity to explore the Villa and its gardens, alive with the sound of fountains – Avenue of the Hundred Fountains, the Dragon Fountain and the fountains of the Organ.  One of the fountains was large enough that you could walk under it. 

The next morning the group again boarded the motorcoach and headed back north towards Firenze (Florence). Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany. The city lies on the River Arno and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance and one of the wealthiest cities of the time, Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance; and is often known as the "Jewel of the Renaissance".

The first stop was Michelangelo Square for a magnificent 360 degree view of the town. In the center of the square is a mounment to Michelangelo. Here the tour director took the opportunity to take a group photo.

Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is the first wooden structure that can be traced back to the Etruscan period. Although the original bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1933; it was rebuilt.

Florence is known for its public display of artwork in the form of many sculptures throughout the city. Michelangelo's David finally reached its destination, the Piazza della Signoria - and was immediately celebrated as one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance. When he created his David, Michelangelo was not even thirty. His David was so successful that he was called back to Rome by the Pope himself, Giulio II, for whom he would then paint the famous Sistine Chapel. Loggia del Lanzi is an open-air museum of many of the fine works done in Gothic style. Like in Rome, the Fountain of Neptune pays tribute to the marine god.

The Florence Baptistery (Baptistery of St. John) is a religious building in Florence (Tuscany), Italy, which has the status of a minor basilica. The octagonal Baptistery stands in both the Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza di San Giovanni, across from the Duomo cathedral and the Giotto bell tower (Campanile di Giotto). It is one of the oldest buildings in the city, built between 1059 and 1128. The architecture is in Florentine Romanesque style. The Baptistery is renowned for its three sets of artistically important bronze doors with relief sculptures. The south doors were done by Andrea Pisano and the north and east doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti. The east pair of doors was dubbed by Michelangelo "the Gates of Paradise". The Italian poet Dante Alighieri and many other notable Renaissance figures, including members of the Medici family, were baptized in this baptistery. In fact, until the end of the nineteenth century, all Catholic Florentines were baptized here.

Giotto’s Campanile is a free-standing campanile that is part of the complex of buildings that make up Florence Cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo. Standing adjacent the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistry of St. John, the tower is one of the showpieces of the Florentine Gothic architecture with its design by Giotto, its rich sculptural decorations and the polychrome marble encrustations. This slender structure stands on a square plan with a side of 47.41 ft. It attains a height of 277.9 ft sustained by four polygonal buttresses at the corners. These four vertical lines are crossed by four horizontal lines, dividing the tower in five levels.

The Palazzo Pitti (sometimes called the Pitti Palace) is a vast Renaissance palace. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. The core of the present palazzo dates from 1458 and was originally the town residence of Luca Pitti, an ambitious Florentine banker. The palace was bought by the Medici family in 1549 and became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. It grew as a great treasure house as later generations amassed paintings, plates, jewelry and luxurious possessions. In the late 18th century, the palazzo was used as a power base by Napoleon, and later served for a brief period as the principal royal palace of the newly united Italy. The palace and its contents were donated to the Italian people by King Victor Emmanuel III in 1919, and its doors were opened to the public as one of Florence's largest art galleries.

Before returning to the hotel, the guide took the group to a leather factory where Bev bought a leather coat and Marguerite a sachel as souvenirs of the trip.

The following morning, the group again boarded the motorcoach and traveled to the town of Pisa. Here Marguerite climbed to the top of the Leaning Tower. Beside the tower is the town’s 11th century Catheral and Baptistry.

From Pisa, the route followed the Highway of Flowers along the Italian Riviera, overlooking the Mediterranean and seaside resorts. The road then climbed through th Ligurian Alps with its numerous tunnels. Before crossing the border, the group stopped for lunch in Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and the busiest port in Italy.

After five days in Italy, the group crossed the border into France at Ventimiglia; then on to glamorous Nice on the French Riviera.

Marguerite joined the group the following day for a drive along the Cote d’Azur (Riviera) to exotic Cannes for a view of the yacht harbour and fine villas. Returning to Nice, the group stopped at a perfume factory to sample\purchase some of the French fragrances.

That evening the group donned their best evening wear and took the motorcoach to Monte-Carlo, Monaco. One could see the palace on the hill above the city. The harbor was filled with yachts. The Grand Prix of Monaco had just been completed, and the motorcoach driver followed some of the circuit getting to the casino.

Bev opted to play Black Jack and Marguerite the slot machines, while others in the group ventured off to play Roulette and Poker. The casino was very stylish; no drinking or smoking at the tables. Marguerite remembers that before she joined Bev at the Black Jack table she had played one of the machines for quite some time.  When one of the couples arrived late, the wife went to the machine that Marguerite had abandoned.  She hit the jackpot.  Marguerite, however, was thankful that she had not won at the machine because the lady was not able to cash in her winning 'quarters' for bills and she and her husband had to stuff their pockets with the proceeds.

Both Bev and Marguerite were able to stay ahead of the tables as the night went on; and, were surprised to see that many of the travel group had returned to watch them play. No one admitted how they had done; but both Bev and Marguerite came out ahead for the night.

Leaving Nice, the route turned inland and followed a steep and spectacular ascent; this was along part of the route that Napoleon took when he entered Paris. The route continued through the Maritime Alps; crossing into Switzerland and the beautiful lakeside setting of Geneva. The group will spend two nights here. One of the scheduled tours here was a gondola ride on the Alps. However, because the weather conditions were poor that day; the ride had to be cancelled.

The following morning the group took a motorcoach tour of the city. As they were leaving the hotel, Bev spotted a MacDonalds not too far away. She kept track of the many turns that the bus had taken, and was able to walk to the restaurant after the tour was over. When the trip began, Bev and Marguerite had had a large English breakfast, then as they traveled into the other countries, eggs became sparse and the breakfasts dwindled to continental style. They were ready for a good ol’ English Muffin. MacDonalds was still serving breakfast; and they ordered 2 each.

  Geneva is a global city, a financial centre, and a worldwide centre for diplomacy and the most important international co-operation centre with New York because of the presence of numerous international organizations, including the headquarters of many of the agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross. It is also the place where the Geneva Conventions were signed, which chiefly concern the treatment of wartime non-combatants and prisoners of war.  Lake Geneva is the largest lake in central Europe and shared by both Switzerland and France.

Jet d'eau is the tallest water fountain in the world.  Originally a simple security valve at the Coulouvrenière hydraulic factory, the Jet d'eau has, over the years, grown to be the symbol of Geneva. In 1891, it was transferred to the "Rade", to become a major tourist attraction. However, it was not until 1951 that it was provided with an autonomous pumping station, propelling 500 litres of water per second to a height of 140 metres at a speed of 200 km per hour (124 miles/h). Eight 9,000-watt projectors light the fountain’s majestic column in the evening as it soars skywards.

A symbol of the Geneva watch industry of world renown, the famous flower clock, located at the edge of the Jardin Anglais (English Garden) since 1955, is a masterpiece of technology and floral art. Did you know that the seconds hand of Geneva's Flower Clock is the largest in the world (it is more than 2.5 meters long)!

The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) is the second-largest of the four major office sites of the United Nations (second to New York). It is located in the Palais des Nations building constructed for the League of Nations between 1929 and 1938 at Geneva in Switzerland, and expanded in the early 1950s and late 1960s.

Distinguished linguist, outstanding horseman and musician, Charles d’Este-Guelph, Duke of Brunswick, was also eccentric and paranoiac. Born in 1804, dethroned and chased from his country in 1830, he took refuge in Paris. A talented investor, he amassed a tremendous fortune there. But he spent the last three years of his life in Geneva, where he died in 1873, leaving the city a tidy sum of money. Under the terms of his will the Brunswick Monument was built. It is an exact replica of the Scaligeri family tomb in Verona, Italy, work of the 14th century.

Palais Wilson had been used as the seat of the League of Nations before it was dissolved in 1939. Today it houses the International Bureau of Education.

Reformation Wall is located in beautiful Bastions Park, this monument commemorates the major events and figures of the Protestant Reformation. Larger than life statues of Guillaume Farel, Jean Calvin, Théodore de Bèze and John Knox dominate the central part of the 100 meter wall, eternally guarding over their “City of Refuge.”

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide[1] which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without any discrimination based on nationality, race, sex, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a private humanitarian institution founded in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland, by Henry Dunant. Its 25-member committee has a unique authority under international humanitarian law to protect the life and dignity of the victims of international and internal armed conflicts. The ICRC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on three occasions (in 1917, 1944 and 1963).

The group was told to bring their passports when they left the hotel for dinner that evening. The motorcoach drove along the shores of Lake Geneva to the pretty village of Ivoire still surrounded by its medieval ramparts. The town, however, is located in France. The dinner consisted of cheese fondue, fresh lake fish and wine.

The next leg of the trip takes the group to Paris. They will cross into France again, and once out of the moutains will travel through agricultural lands and the impressive Forest of Fontainbleau before reaching Paris. Fontainebleau was the royal hunting residence before the first lights of the Renaissance shone here under François 1st, in the heart of the Palace which all sovereigns, right up to Napoleon III, cherished, decorated and embellished through the work of their best artists, painters, sculptors, architects, fountainers and gardeners. At the heart of these landscapes a city was born where side by side lived the Royal Court, His Majesty’s suppliers, the cooks for His table, and the cavalry responsible for His security and hunts.

After arriving in Paris, the group was given free time to have lunch and explore the city.  Bev & Marguerite stopped in one of the restaurants, only to find that the waiter would speak English, if they asked their question in French.  The menu was difficult to read, but Bev found what she thought was 'spaghetti' and ordered it.  When it arrived, it was spaghetti noodles soaked in garlic oil.  They both were able to order salads without any problem.

Traffic was overwhelming in Paris, and travel around certain tourist attractions was resttricted to certain times of the day. The evening tour took the group around the famous city. Although illuminated for the night, the Eifel Tower had to be seen at a distance. A drive was taken on Champs Elyssees passing by the Arc de Triomphe. After the tour, the group was taken to a Parisian bistro for dinner. This was the first time that Bev and Marguerite were able to taste escargot.

The next day’s sightseeing took the group by several of the locations they had seen the previous night – Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, and the Eifel Tower. The tour continued on past the Opera House and the Louvre.  A tour of the Louvre was not offered because of the size of Louvre and the concern of keeping this large of a group together. 

The Romano-Byzantine Basilica of Sacre-Coeur overlooks Montmartre, one of Paris's most picturesque districts. Its distinctive dome rising up over the rooftops, the basilica offers the perfect vantage point from which to survey the city. Commissioned by the Catholic Church, construction began in 1875 under the watchful eye of architect Paul Abadie, and was finally completed in 1914.

 The Arc de Triomphe, (Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile), is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, (originally named Place de l'Étoile), at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. The Arc de Triomphe, (in English: "Triumphal Arch"), honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Underneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.


The motorcoach stopped so everyone could explore the Place de la Concorde. Originally known as place Louis-XV, this square was created between 1755 and 1775 by the architect, Gabriel. Renamed Place de la Revolution in 1792, a guillotine was installed and 2800 executions took place including that of King Louis XVI. Louis-Philippe christened it Place de la Concorde in 1830. The Louqsor obelisk, a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X of France, has been standing in the center of the square since 1840. The eight statues representing France's largest cities and the two fountains were also added at this time. The square is home to one of Paris' most prestigious hotels, the Hôtel Crillon.

The greek temple just north of the Place the Concorde is known as 'La Madeleine' or 'L'église de St-Marie-Madeleine'.  The large building is actually a church, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. In French, Magdalene is known as Madeleine, hence the name of the building.

Then on to Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale Nortre-Dame de Paris). No first trip to Paris is complete without a visit to this marvel of gothic architecture. One of the most singular and beautiful cathedrals of Europe, the Cathedral's  dramatic towers, spire, stained glass and statuary are guaranteed to take your breath away. Construction of the first great Gothic cathedral began in 1163 and was largely completed by 1212. The rebuilding of the two transept gates in 1270 marked its completion. The west face is adorned with three richly decorated doorways and crowned with two 69-meter (226-foot) towers.

Seeing some of Paris' most beautiful sites glide past as you drift down the Seine river is an unforgettable and essential experience. The group boarded their cruise boat near Notre Dame. Views of the city and the Eifel Tower passed on the ride down the river.

After the boat ride, the group headed to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles. Escorted by a local guide, the tour followed through the apartments of King Louis XIV and his Queen, the Hall of Mirrors and the Gallery of Battles.  The magnificent Château de Versailles is a testimony of the Sun King's extravaganza. The Palace and its magnificent formal garden became the quintessential model for palaces in Europe.  The artwork, tapestries and furnishings were beyond description.

That night, dinner was in a Parisian restaurant; and then the group went to the Moulin Rouge for the Grand Show. The last night in Paris was toasted with a bottle of French champagne.  Founded in 1889, this cabaret is known the world over for its famous French cancan, forever immortalized in the paintings of French artist Toulouse-Lautrec. Today, its famous red windmill still proudly overlooks the Pigalle district. Dreamed up by 1930s cabaret singer Mistinguette, the extravaganzas performed here have magnificent sets, luxurious costumes and a great line-up of international dancers.

The following morning, the group boarded the motorcoach for their last time. This time the packing was more complicated for Bev and Marguerite. Throughout the trip they had purchased multiple souvenirs and accumulated them as they continued the tour. At first, Bev had purchased souvenir backpacks to carry the items. After purchasing two of them, the passengers joked that they had “to give Bev a boost each morning” to get her into the bus; because of the excess weight she was carrying. The tour had restricted passengers to only one suitcase a piece. However, in Paris, they relented and Bev purchased a soft-sided piece of luggage for the remainder of the trip. The breakables, however, needed to be properly packed in the regular suitcases.

Their ride from Paris took them past the battlefields fought during the two world wars. They arrived at the Hoverport in Calais for their final ride to London.  President Reagan was visiting London in regards to the nuclear program.  Protestors came out in large numbers; and, because of this the main routes to many of the hotels were inaccessible.  The bus driver came as close to a hotel as possible, and then passengers needed to tote\drag their luggage themselves to their hotel.  Bev and Marguerite were fortunate in that they were dropped off at a cab stand, and were able to get through the traffic to their hotel.

It was another taxi ride the next morning to Gatwick International Airport to catch their flight to Atlanta; and then the final leg to Denver.  After arriving in Denver, they had to wait until the end of the luggage before Marguerite’s suitcase was presented. It appears that it had been dropped and the latches had come loose. Instead of coming around intact, it was open.  Delta Airlines did take responsibility and had the luggage repaired.