Free Time Suggestions: Venice

Of all the cities we are visiting, Venice is the most beautiful and the most unchanged. From about 1100 to 1550, Venice was one of the most powerful and wealthy cities in the world. From their island home in the Adriatic the Venetians ruled a vast trading empire that spaned the Adriatic, Mediterranean, and Black Seas. In fact, Venice had a virtual monopoly on trade with the East. All of that changed after 1500. New trade routes opened up by Portuguese and Spanish explorers enabled the nation states of Europe to cut out the middle man, and shifted the axis of European trade from the Mediterranean to Atlantic states like Spain, Portugal, France, England, and the Netherlands. Venice, no longer the center of world trade, entered into a period of very gradual decline that continues today.
Tourism, while it keeps the city alive, has also accelerated Venice's demise. The crush of millions of tourists every year has taken a toll on the slowly sinking Venice, and can detract significantly from its charm. The flocks of cruise-ship bound tourists that flood Venice every day are best avoided by hanging around until the evening. Venice is much quieter, and much more charming during the evening hours. That is one of the reasons our tour company, ACIS, books us in hotels close to the city center. Here are a few suggestions for your free time in Venice:




-Wander the back streets: During the day, the main tourist areas of Venice can be overwhelmingly crowded. During my last visit to Venice I discovered that wandering the streets away from the major tourist attractions can be incredibly rewarding, and a lot less crammed full of tourists. There isn't a single area of Venice that is not picturesque. The back streets are filled with small piazzas, beautiful villas, and gently leaning church towers (Did I mention that the city is sinking?) The good thing about wandering around an island is that you really can't get lost. Eventually, you will run into the lagoon.




-Take a ride on a gondola: Most visitors to Venice place a gondola ride at the top of thier "to do" list. Unfortunately, many of them experience a bit of sticker shock once they get there. Gondola rides can be expensive. The prices are regulated. A 40 minute ride during the evening will run you 100€ (about $130). The price, however, can be divided by up to six people.

-Experience a Vivaldi concert: Venice loves its native son, the violinist and composer Antonio Vivaldi. As a priest, Vivaldi worked as a violinist and music teacher at a Venitian orphanage. It was during the thirty years he spent in this position that Vivaldi composed most of his beautiful baroque choral pieces, operas, and concertos. The most famous of these works is "The Four Seasons." It is always possible to find a performance of Vivaldi's works somewhere in Venice. If you are interested, our tour manager can help you book tickets.

-Visit the Accademia Gallery: This large museum houses a grand collection of paintings dating from the fourteenth century to the late Renaissance and Venice's days as a major stop on the 18th-century Grand Tour. Here you will find works by Veronese, Tintoretto, Titian, and Canaletto. ( http://www.gallerieaccademia.org/the-museum/?lang=en )

-Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection: If modern art is your deal then the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is your museum. This museum, opened in 1980, houses Peggy Guggenheim's personal collection of American and European art from the first half of the 20th century. ( http://www.guggenheim-venice.it/inglese/default.html )

-See the works of three Renaissance masters in the Chiesa dei Friari: This is a recommendation for all of the AP Art History geeks on the trip. In this one church you can cast your eyes upon the works of three Renaissance masters: Bellini, Donatello, and Titian. This final master of the Venitian Renaissance, Titian, is interred in the church. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frari )




-Visit the Doge's Palace: This was the most powerful piece of real estate in Venice during its days as an independent republic. The price of admission is well worth a visit to the seat of Venitian power. Don't forget to take a quick trip over the Bridge of Sighs to the prison that actually held the famous Cassanova during your visit. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge%27s_Palace,_Venice)




-Cruise the lagoon to Burano: This small island fishing village is about a half hour by vaporetto (water bus) from Venice. A much smaller version of Venice, complete with its own canals, Burano has managed to keep most of its charm over the centuries. The wives of Burano made sure to paint their homes in bright, floral colors so that their husbands could always see their homes when they were out fishing in the lagoon. The women of Burano also adapted their skills for repairing fishing nets to the art of creating fine, hand-made lace.
For more information about visiting Venice you can check out Rick Steves' website: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/italy_menu.htm

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Free Time Suggestions: Munich

Munich has often been called the "most livable" city in Europe. Most of the old city is a car-free pedestrian zone, and bicycle lanes connect most of the city. If it can't be reached on foot, you can be sure that you can get there on the underground or in a streetcar. Müncheners love to live outside. You can be sure to find hundreds of them relaxing in the Englischer Garten, Munich's main park, during their lunch hours. Long summer evenings are best spent in one of Munich's many beer gardens. This "Millionendorf" (village of a million people) is one of my favorite places in Europe. However, I might be influence by the fact that most of my family live in the Munich area.
Here are a few suggestions for filling up your free time in Munich:




Englischer Garten: This is Europe's largest and most used city park. Müncheners take full advantage of this giant outdoor space, and use it as their outdoor livingroom during the summer. They swim (and surf!) in the stream that wanders its way through the park. Some of them sunbathe nude on it's banks (just a warning). Follow the tree-lined paths to find one of my favorite lunch spots, the beer garden underneath the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower). ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englischer_Garten )

Viktualienmarkt: If you're looking for good eats for lunch, this is the place. The Viktualienmarkt is a collection of food stands, beer vendors, and farmer's market stalls that is subsidized by the city government to keep local farmers and small business owners in and big business out. After a good bratwurst with potato salad and beer, I like to wander through the market stalls to pick up a snack for later. ( http://www.muenchen.de/int/en/shopping/markets/viktualienmarkt.html )

Dallmayr: This delicatessen and café has been serving Munich since 1700. At one time Dallmayr was the official purveyor of fine coffees and food to the dukes and kings of Bavaria. If you want to take a picnic lunch to the Englischer Garten, Dallmayr would be a wonderful place to pick up a tasty treat. Dallmayr is also well known for it's fine coffees, locally-produced honey, and fantastic chocolates. The chocolates contain no preservatives, which is just an excuse to consume them promptly after purchase. ( http://www.dallmayr.com/ )

Olympiapark: Built for the 1972 Olympic Games, Olympiapark now serves as a cultural and sporting center for Munich. The buildings of the Olympic Stadium, the Events Hall, and the Swim Hall are designed to mirror the peaks of the Bavarian Alps to the south. The highlight for most visitors is the 291 meter (955 feet) tall Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower). A 30 second elevator ride shoots visitors to the observation platform and revolving restauraunt at the top. ( http://www.olympiapark.de/?L=1 )

BMW Museum: This museum, located next to the giant BMW Welt (BMW World) showcase and BMW headquarters, highlights the history of Bavaria's ultimate driving machine. ( http://www.bmw-welt.com/web_rb/bmw-welt/en/bmw_museum/overview.html )

Art Museums: The Kunstareal (Art Area) of Munich is the home of three amazing art museums.
-The Alte Pinakothek hosts the art of the Old Masters, including Dürer, Botticelli, Raphael, and Titian. ( http://www.pinakothek.de/en/alte-pinakothek )
-The Neue Pinakothek houses the art of the 19th century. This includes an impressive collection of French Impressionists and Van Gogh canvases. ( http://www.pinakothek.de/en/neue-pinakothek )
-The Pinakothek der Moderne is the newest (opened in 2002) of the art museums in Munich. It houses a fantastic collection of 20th- and 21st-century art within its very modern walls. ( http://www.pinakothek.de/en/pinakothek-der-moderne )




Climb a Church Tower: If you're looking for a great view of the old town and the Bavarian Alps, you should consider climbing the stairs of one of Munich's church towers. There are two opportunities to do this within walking distance of the Marienplatz, the center of the old town. The south tower of the Frauenkirche, Munich's main cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Munich and Freising is open for visitors to climb. The Alte Peter (Old Peter) tower of St. Peter's Church, built on the spot where the monks that gave Munich it's name built their monastery in the 8th century, also allows visitors to climb the stairs to the top. ( http://www.panorama-cities.net/munich/frauenkirche.html )

The Residenz: This Renaissance-style palace was the winter home to Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria. The Residenz contains an impressive collection of miniature masterpieces, busts of Roman emperors, and the crown jewels of Bavaria. ( http://www.residenz-muenchen.de/englisch/residenc/index.htm )

Hofbräuhaus: Munich's most famous beerhall, the Hofbräuhaus is a bit wild, loud, and touristy. However, if you're looking to take in what Bavarians refer to as a "Gemütlich" scene, the Hofbräuhaus is a good place. I prefer to spend my evenings in one of the less-traveled, and less touristy beer gardens or beer halls around town. ( http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en/index_en.html )




Evening in a beer garden: The beer gardens of Munich are my favorite places. These family-friendly monuments to Bavarian hospitality under shady chestnut trees are great places to unwind from the stresses of the day and to soak up the laidback atomosphere of Southern Germany. There are too many good ones to list here. Ask me for a recommendation when we get there.
For more information about visiting Munich visit Rick Steves' collection of articles:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/germany/germ_menu.htm
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Free Time Suggestions: Lucerne and Engelberg

Lucerne and Engelberg are going to be a nice break from the craziness of Paris. I always like to build in a couple of overnights in a smaller town to allow myself to refresh and rebuild between big cities. Engelberg, a ski and hiking resort town high in the Alps, is a perfect place in which to do this. The alpine air is crisp and fresh, even in the middle of the summer. I love to leave my window open just a little bit as I sleep under the big down comforter that is common to German and Swiss hotels. Engelberg is also where I like to take a long after-dinner walk through town, past the monastery, and into the pastures just outside of town. Be prepared for chilly weather! Switzerland can be cold and rainy even in July!



Think of our afternoon in Lucerne as an opportunity to slow down and relax for a moment. The Guilded Age of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries has left the biggest mark on Lucerne. Paddlewheel steamers still deliver sightseers to destinations around Lake Lucerne. Take some time to wander around the narrow, automobile-free streets of the old town. Lucerne is a great place to do some shopping for chocolate and Swiss Army knives (or some wardrobe refreshing at H&M). While most of Lucerne has been shaped by the nineteenth century, there is still a segment of the old city walls left for you to explore (just head uphill). Lucerne also plays host to a gallery of modern masters like Picasso, Klimt, and Klee at the Rosengart Collection (http://www.rosengart.ch/foundation.php5).



Restaurants in Switzerland can be expensive because only 17% of Switzerland can be utilized for agricultural purposes (the price for living in the Alps). That's why I always make sure to take only what I know I will be able to eat at breakfast and other meals in the hotel, especially if I am staying at a family-run hotel like the Edelweiss. That is also why I take the opportunity in Lucerne to grab some quick food and a beer at a supermarket (there's a good one in the train station) and have a picnic on the lake. After lunch with the ducks and the swans, you could take a short trip on the lake on a foot-powered paddleboat.


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Free Time Suggestions: Paris

Our three-night stay in Paris is the longest of the trip. This is because Paris offers so much to do and to see. Fortunately, our tour consultant has taken care of some of the top sights for us. We will be touring the Palace of Versailles, and zipping through the gardens on a bicycle tour. Since we are doing this on Bastille Day the fountains will be turned on and baroque music will be playing throughout the gardens. We also have tickets lined up for our visit to the Louvre. We even get to take an evening boat ride on the Seine. Even with all of these exciting adventures, Paris still offers much more. Here are a few suggestions of sights and activities to fill up your free day (and evenings) in Paris:




-Orsay Museum: This museum picks up where our visit to the Louvre left off. The Orsay houses one of the best collections of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century art in the world inside of a converted Belle Epoque train station. Here you will find Realists like Corbet and Millet, Impressionists like Monet, and post-impressionist masters like Vincent Van Gogh. Save time by purchasing your tickets online. You can even download an electronic ticket to your smartphone. (http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html)

-Rodin Museum: Wander through this garden museum and enjoy one of the largest collections of Rodin sculpures in the world, from the Burghers of Calais to The Thinker. (http://www.musee-rodin.fr/en/musee-rodin)

-Eiffel Tower: Most visitors to Paris don't consider their visit complete without a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The ticket line and the line for the elevator can get very long during the summer months. If we let our tour manager know ahead of time he or she may be able to arrange the purchase of the tickets and save us the time in at least one of the lines. (http://www.eiffel-tower.com/)

-Pompidou Center: This large, industrial-looking complex appears to be a building with all of its inner workings on the outside of the building. It houses the largest museum of modern art in Europe. (http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Accueil.nsf/Document/HomePage?OpenDocument&L=2)

-Jewish Art and History Museum: If you elect to take a stroll through the Marais, the Jewish quarter of Paris, don't miss this museum. Housed in a converted Marais mansion, it tells the story of Jewish history and traditions in Europe starting with Roman Empire. (http://www.mahj.org/en/index.php)

-Carnavalet Museum: Located in another converted Marais mansion, the Carnavalet Museum opens the doors to French history and the history of the city of Paris. Try not to get lost in the Revolution! (http://carnavalet.paris.fr/en)




-Luxembourg Garden: This beautiful park was once the private garden of Marie de Medicis, the widow of Henry IV. Today, it is the second largest public park in Paris. Take a stroll through this lush green garden and admire the many statues, including a smaller version of the Statue of Liberty. If you're feeling brave, ask one of the locals for a quick lesson in the game of pétanque. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jardin_du_Luxembourg)

-Walk the Marais: The Marais (swamp) is home to more pre-revolutionary buildings than any other neighborhood in France. That is quite a feat for a neighborhood that was the choice of 17th century nobles to build their mansions. It was also the home of that hated prison, the Bastille. Check out Rick Steves' guide to a great walk throught the Marais. (http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/marais.htm)

-Tour the Opéra Garnier: This giant wedding cake of a building was one of the highlights of Baron Haussmann's rebuilding of Paris during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III. Take a self-guided tour of this grand opera house, made famous in "The Phantom of the Opera", to see where the Paris elite mixed and mingled. (http://www.operadeparis.fr/en/L_Opera/Palais_Garnier/PalaisGarnier.php)

-Shopping Like a Parisian: The Parisians invented the department store, and nobody in the world has been able to beat them at their game. If shopping is your passion, take a trip to Galeries Lafayette, or one of the other Parisian department stores, Printemps and Bon Marché. Check out this guide to shopping in Paris. (http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/parisshops.htm)

-Catacombs of Paris: These former limestone quarries are home to over six million former Parisians. In the late 18th century the cemeteries of Paris were emptied out and the bones were artfully stacked 60 feet underground. The catacombs tour takes you on a one-mile trip under the streets of Paris through stacks of bones that are 80 feet deep. (http://www.catacombes-de-paris.fr/english.htm)

Check out Rick Steves' website for articles about things to see and do in Paris. (http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/france_menu.htm)


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Free Time Suggestions: London

Our first stop on this summer's trip will be London. Our stay in London will be short, so it might be a good idea to have a couple of ideas about what you want to do during your free time in the city. Here are a few suggestions:

Tower of London
Built by William the Conqueror in 1078 to pacify his newly aquired kingdom, the Tower of London has served as a fortress, a prison, and a home to kings at various times over it's nearly 1,000 years of exsitence. It's still an active military post today! Take a tour with one of the Tower's Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) and visit the Crown Jewels. (http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/)

London Eye
This 450-foot tall obeservation wheel offers a great view of London's somewhat underwhelming skyline. The ride lasts aproximately 30 minutes, and the price is somewhat expensive. However, if your goal is to reach the highest point in each city, this is your ride. (http://www.londoneye.com/)

National Gallery
The National Gallery, located on Trafalgar Square, may be one of the best free museums in Europe. This fantastic treasure houses paintings from the 13th through the 19th centuries. From Titian to Monet, this museum has it all. Did I mention that it's free? (http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/)

Tate Modern
Another free museum, the Tate Modern resides in a former powerstation on the south side of the Thames, directly across from St. Paul's Cathedral. Take a stroll across the Millenium Bridge to enjoy a great collection of twentieth century art, incuding works by Picasso and Dalí. (http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/)

Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms
This museum is actually located under the busy streets of London. This is where Winston Churchill and his inner circle directed the war effort against Germany while Nazi bombs fell on the capital above. (http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms)

Victoria & Albert Museum
The V & A bills itself as "The World's Greatest Museum of Art and Design." They might be right. This is another free museum (with the exception of special exhibitions). Check the website for exibitions and prices. (http://www.vam.ac.uk/)

British Museum of Natural History Museum
This museum was built during the 1870s to house the enormous collection of specimens being brought in from all over the Queen Victoria's British Empire. There are over 50 million specimens house in the museum, which is divided into a section for the life sciences and one for the earth sciences. Once again, admission is free. (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/)

Stroll through Hyde Park
Hyde Park acts as the green lungs of London. Enjoy a stroll through the park, as many Londoners do. This is a great place to bring your own food for a relaxing picnic. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park,_London)

Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
Located on Picadilly since 1707, Fortnum & Mason are the offical purveyors of fine teas to Her Majesty the Queen. This is a great place to enjoy a traditional tea with scones, clotted cream, and strawberry preserves. (http://www.fortnumandmason.com/c-3-fortnum-mason-piccadilly-store-london-luxury-department-store.aspx)

Theater in the West End
If you're planning to take in a show in London's West End, you might want to take advantage of the TKTS booth located on Leicester Square. This booth offers the unsold seats to the evenings shows at a discounted rate (sometimes as much as 50% off of the original price). Available shows are posted on a board next to the booth. Let us know if you are interested so we can point you in the right direction. (http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/buy-tickets/tkts/)

Visit a Pub
Take a trip to one of London's many Public Houses (Pubs). Pubs have been serving as the livingrooms of London since the middle ages. Enjoy some "pub grub" and the company of local Londoners. Be aware that you must be at least 18 years old to purchase beer or ale, and many pubs may not allow anyone under the age of 18 entrance. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_house)

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New Itinerary, New Experiences

When I heard that we were going to have to change our departure date I was understandably nervous. Last summer we were asked to change our entire trip. We were the smaller group, so we didn't have much choice. Fortunately, the itinerary for that trip was equally as fantastic as our original choice. After reviewing our new itinerary, I am more excited for this summer than ever!

The first change is in the direction of our travel. We still get to visit every city on our original itinerary. However, by traveling from north to south we have opened ourselves up to some absolutely fantastic side trips. Instead of rushing from Engelberg to Lausane to catch the train to Paris, we will be able to take a more leisurely detour to Brienz, Switzerland, where we will learn all about the art of Swiss woodcarving from a master woodcarver. Our travel day from Engelberg to Munich will be marked by a visit to Ludwig II's fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein (Think Sleeping Beauty's Castle...). Traveling from Venice to Montecatini will give us two days in Florence instead of only one.

We have also been set up with some bonus activities in most of our destinations. Our visit to Versailles will be capped by a bike tour of the gardens. This is one of my favorite things to do at Versailles. A boat ride on the Seine in Paris is now included on our itinerary. The optional excursion to the top of Mt. Titlis in Switzerland is now included in our tour. I think I'm most excited by the inclusion of dinner in an Alpine Hut in Engelberg. We will have to take a cable car to get there! I'm also excited to take a crack at the alpenhorn (Riiiiiiiiicolaaaaaaa!!!!).

125 days until departure!

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Change in Our Itinerary

Here is the proposed change in our itinerary:
JUL 10: DAY1 Dept – all groups depart from USA
JUL 11: DAY2 LONDON
JUL 12: DAY3 LONDON
JUL 13: DAY4 PARIS
JUL 14: DAY5 PARIS
JUL 15: DAY6 PARIS
JUL 16: DAY7 ENGELBERG
JUL 17: DAY8 ENGELBERG
JUL 18: DAY9 MUNICH
JUL 19: DAY10 MUNICH
JUL 20: DAY11 VENICE – the PSMs departs from MUC here
JUL 21: DAY12 VENICE
JUL 22: DAY13 MONTECATINI – the MME departs from VCE here
JUL 23: DAY14 MONTECATINI
JUL 25: DAY15 ROME
JUL 26: DAY16 ROME
JUL 27: DAY17 POE departs from ROM.
Please note that we will not be losing any days, nor will we be losing any cities by reversing the direction of our travel. It will probably be better to miss the Olympic madness in London. :-)