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Trip to Europe General Trip Information Tour Company Contact Information Tour Destinations Tour Fees and Expenses Important Dates and Deadlines Currency Converters Travel Tips Packing Tips General Trip Information I am not currently planning on taking any students to Europe in 2006 . If there is enough interest, I will consider a trip in 2007. Any trip to Europe will cost at least $3,000, so start saving your money NOW! Tour Company Contact Information Tour Destinations Black Forest, The Bonn Castles of King Ludwig II Cologne Innsbrück Liechtenstein Lucern The Rhine Falls Salzburg Munich Vienna MUNICH I. Introduction Munich (German München), city in south central Germany, the capital of Bavaria, on the Isar River. It is an important industrial, cultural, and transportation center, and attracts many tourists with its elegant shops, fashionable nightclubs, great breweries, and lively festivals. A nearby international airport and a network of railroads and highways connect Munich with the rest of Germany and other cities of Europe. The old part of the city, on the western bank of the Isar River, has a number of baroque and rococo buildings, mostly built in the first half of the 18th century by the rulers of Bavaria, who were inspired by Italian models. In the center of the old section is the Marienplatz, a well-known square, which is dominated by the city hall, the ornate Neues Rathaus, built between 1867 and 1908. Next to the city hall is the 15th-century Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), a massive late Gothic brick cathedral with two towers (99 m/325 ft high). Several of the original gates to the city, including Sendlinger Gate (1310) and Isar Gate (1337), are still standing. The Hellabrunn Zoo is one of the largest in Germany. The city also has a large English garden, with a lake; a Chinese pagoda; and the Haus der Kunst, an art gallery, within its confines. The baroque Nymphenburg Castle (begun 1664) is located in an opulently landscaped park. A large stadium was erected for the 1972 Olympic Games, which were held in Munich. On the eastern bank of the Isar River is the Maximilianeum (1874-1877), home of the Bavarian parliament. II. Cultural Institutions Among the many museums and art galleries of Munich is the Deutsches Museum (German Museum), a museum of science and technology located on an island in the Isar River. The Bavarian National Museum in the city contains arts and crafts from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. A leading German art gallery is the Alte Pinakothek (1836); its collection includes many paintings by the old masters. Munich's Neue Pinakothek, opened in 1981 to replace a museum that was destroyed during World War II (1939-1945), contains an important collection of 19th-century European art. Other notable cultural centers are the National Theater, the home of the Bavarian State Opera, and the Residenz (Royal) Palace, containing the Reiche Zimmer, the Treasury, and the Cuvilliés Theater—a sumptuously decorated rococo theater designed (1751-1753) by François de Cuvilliés. Munich also is an important center of film production and radio and television broadcasting. The city is the seat of the Ludwig Maximilian University, founded in Ingolstadt in 1472 and transferred to Landshut in 1800 and to Munich in 1826. A technical university (1868) also is here. III. Commerce and Industry In addition to the world-famous beer, railroad and electrical equipment, chemicals, optical and precision instruments, and processed food are produced in Munich. Since the late 18th century, when the process of lithography was invented in the city, Munich has been a major printing and publishing center. The city also has an active fashion industry, with a large number of clothing manufacturers and textile factories. Many international exhibitions and trade fairs are held in Munich. IV. History Munich was founded in 1158 as a mint and marketplace by Henry the Lion, duke of Saxony. In 1255, the powerful Wittelsbach family, who ruled as the dukes of Bavaria, made the city their residence. Munich was destroyed by fire in 1327 and later rebuilt by Louis IV, Holy Roman emperor. In 1632, during the Thirty Years' War, the city was captured by Gustav II Adolph of Sweden. Much of the modern development and splendid architecture of Munich date from the reigns of three kings of Bavaria: Maximilian I, Louis I, and Louis II. After World War I (1914-1918) the city was the center of the political unrest that led to the rise of National Socialism under Adolf Hitler. In 1923 Hitler staged the abortive “beer hall putsch,” or revolt, in Munich. In 1938 representatives of the major European powers signed the Munich Pact in the city, ceding to Germany the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia. Heavily damaged during World War II, the city has been carefully rebuilt to a master plan that included reconstruction wherever possible. Population (1997) 1,244,676. Source: Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2001 Web links of interest (E): Alter Peter (E): Marienplatz (G/E): Discover Munich (G/E): Munich Tourist Office (G/E): Munich Found (G/E): Official Oktoberfest Website (G/E): German Museum (E): Nymphenburg Castle (G/E): Englischer Garten (G/E): Hofbräuhaus (G/E): Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site (E): Scrapbook Pages: Dachau Pastor Martin Niemöller, who initially supported the Nazis, ended up in Dachau in 1938, whereupon he famously noted that: Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Kommunist. Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat. Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter. Als sie die Juden holten, habe ich geschwiegen; ich war ja kein Jude. Als sie mich holten, gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte. When the Nazis arrested the Communists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Communist. When they locked up the Social Democrats, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Social Democrat. When they arrested the trade unionists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a trade unionist. When they arrested the Jews, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Jew. When they arrested me, there was no longer anyone who could protest. CASTLES OF KING LUDWIG II Check out these sources on the Internet about "Crazy" King Ludwig and his castles: (E): King Ludwig II (E): King Ludwig's Castles (E): Bavaria.com (E): The German Way: King Ludwig II (E): National Geographic: Tha Case of the King Who Was Crazy For Castles. (E): German World: King Ludwig II (E): German World: Herrenchiemsee Castle (E): German World: Hohenschwangau Castle (E): German World: Linderhof Castle (E): German World: Neuschwanstein Castle (E): Neuschwanstein Castle (E): Quia: Test your knowledge of King Ludwig II! VIENNA I. Introduction Vienna or Wien (ancient Vindobona), city in northeastern Austria, the capital and largest city of the country, coextensive with Vienna (Wien) Province. Vienna is located on both banks of the Danube River, with the foothills of the Eastern Alps on the west and the plains of the Danube basin on the east. The city lies about 203 m (666 ft) above sea level and has a continental climate, with a mean annual temperature of 10° C (50° F) and an average annual rainfall of 610 mm (24 in). Vienna was for many centuries the political and economic center of the Austrian Empire under the Habsburg family, and between 1867 and 1918 the capital of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Following World War I (1914-1918), with Austria greatly reduced in size, the city found itself with a suddenly limited role and its importance declined. At the end of World War II (1939-1945), Vienna was heavily damaged, but after the signing of the State Treaty in 1955, guaranteeing neutrality for Austria, it again resumed considerable importance as a commercial and transportation center. Today the city dominates the economic and cultural life of Austria and contains about one-fifth of the country’s population. II. Economy Vienna is an important port on the Danube. Because of its strategic location on Europe’s major river, at the lowland passage between the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains, Vienna has been an important communications hub since the first Celtic settlement was established on the site. Today, railroad lines link Vienna with nearly all the important cities of Europe. A modern limited-access highway extends north from Vienna to Germany, and in the 1980s a highway was constructed to the south. Vienna’s international airport is located at Schwechat to the southeast. Vienna is by far Austria’s most important manufacturing, banking, and insurance center. The city contributes roughly one-fifth of Austria’s total industrial plant. Principal manufactures are food products, electrical equipment, chemicals, machinery, metal products, textiles, clothing, printed materials, and paper. Also important are handicraft industries, producing such goods as porcelain, jewelry, glass items, leather goods, and musical instruments. Since the mid-1950s the city has been the site of many international political and economic meetings and conferences. The United Nations City, a complex completed on the left bank of the Danube in 1979, is the seat of several international organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) also has its headquarters in the city. The biennial Vienna Fair (founded in 1921) continues to play an important role in the economic life of central Europe. Of special importance to Vienna’s economic well-being in the post-World War II period is the large number of foreign visitors attracted to the city. III. The Urban Landscape The heart of Vienna, the Innere Stadt (Inner City), was once surrounded by protective walls. The walls were razed in 1857, and in their place a broad boulevard, the Ringstrasse, was built and subsequently lined with imposing buildings, monuments, and parks. Among the more important structures here are the town hall (Rathaus, 1872-1883), the Burgtheater (1874-1888), the University (1873-1883), the Parliament (1883), and the State Opera (1861-1869), which was burned in 1945 and rebuilt in 1955. Also here is the Hofburg, the former imperial palace, the oldest part of which was built during the 13th century. The Gothic Saint Stephen’s Cathedral (rebuilt 13th-15th century) in the center of the Inner City has a 113-m (370-ft) steeple that can be seen from all parts of Vienna. Beyond the Ringstrasse was a secondary fortified wall, the Gürtel, which also was torn down to make space for the expanding suburbs during the second part of the 19th century. These suburban settlements were eventually incorporated into the city, and a pattern of radiating roads connects them with the Innere Stadt. The names of these districts are a reminder of the former autonomous suburban settlements. Industries are today located mostly in the southern and eastern districts. The Danube Canal, which branches south of the Danube River, was completed in the 1880s. The Innere Stadt borders the canal to the south, and Vienna’s second most important district is located between the canal and the Danube. Across the Danube are newer districts; it is here that the new international center has been built. The greatest period of building in the city was between 1870 and 1890, which was also the period of the most rapid population growth. Vienna’s population was approximately 2.4 million in 1918. Much of the large foreign population migrated after World War I to the various successor states of the monarchy. Vienna’s many monumental buildings reflect the city’s cultural importance, and although the city exhibits a certain harmonious aspect, its buildings are of many different architectural styles. Gothic, Renaissance, baroque, and typical Austrian Biedermeier structures are found together with early 20th-century barracklike apartment buildings and modern apartment buildings of the post-World War II period. Vienna is famous for its numerous parks, many with monuments, such as the Stadtpark and Belvedere Park, with its baroque-style castle, where the State Treaty was signed. The principal public park in Vienna, the Prater, is situated on an island formed by the Danube River and the canal. Schönbrunn, the beautiful rococo Imperial Summer Palace, has an 18th-century park and the world’s oldest existing zoo (1752). To the west of the city lies the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald), rising on foothills of the Alps. IV. Educational and Cultural Institutions Vienna has long been known for its cultural and educational institutions. During the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, it was the musical capital of the world, the home of many famous composers and musicians, including Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert, Anton Bruckner, Gustav Mahler, and Alban Berg. Franz von Suppé supplied early models for Viennese operetta, and Johann Strauss the Younger brought the form to a high romantic level in Die Fledermaus (The Bat; 1874). Other composers of operettas include Karl Millöcker, Franz Lehár, Robert Stolz, Oscar Straus, and Emmerich Kalman. Vienna remains a city of strong musical heritage and is the seat of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna State Opera, and a music conservatory. Among Vienna’s many major halls are the famous Musikvereinssaal (Society of Music), the home of the Vienna Philharmonic; the Theater an der Wien (built 1788); the State Opera House; and the Volksoper. Also notable are the Burgtheater, home of the national theater, and the Theater an der Josefstadt. The most outstanding of Vienna’s many schools and scientific organizations is Vienna University (1365) with its many institutes; it is known throughout the world, particularly for its medical school, and has a large percentage of foreign students. Other schools include the Vienna Technical University (1815), the Vienna University of Commerce (1898), the Academy of Fine Arts (1692), and veterinarian and agricultural colleges. Vienna is a city of numerous museums and art galleries. Among the most prominent are the Albertina, the Museum of the 20th Century, the Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts. V. History Throughout its existence Vienna has been a frontier post. Originally a Celtic settlement (Vindobona), it was taken over by the Romans in the 1st century BC and fortified by Emperor Augustus as part of the defenses against the Germanic tribes that lived north of the Danube. In the 5th century AD, however, the Romans evacuated the area. In the 9th century Austria became part of the renewed Roman Empire of Charlemagne, and in 976 Emperor Otto II granted it to the Babenberg family. By the end of the 12th century the city covered what is now the Inner District, and in 1221 it was granted municipal privileges.      A. Habsburg Vienna After the extinction of the Babenbergs in 1246, Vienna came briefly under King Ottokar II of Bohemia, but he was expelled in 1278 by the German king Rudolf I of Habsburg and from that time the city was a possession of the Habsburg family. Rudolf IV of Habsburg, called The Founder, made an indelible impact on Vienna, completing the construction of Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, founding the university (1365), and launching municipal reforms. In the next three centuries the city was struck by religious strife, Turkish sieges (1529 and 1683), and the plague (1679). The title of Holy Roman emperor became hereditary in the Habsburg family in the 15th century, and the Habsburgs added Hungary and Bohemia to their domains in 1526. Vienna became the seat of their central administration and the imperial residence. In the 17th and 18th centuries the city was beautified with splendid baroque churches and palaces. In 1804 it became the capital of the new Austrian Empire, and after the Napoleonic Wars Europe’s leaders met there in the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815). In 1848 the Viennese staged an unsuccessful revolt against the Habsburgs. During the reign of Emperor Francis Joseph I, Vienna became a modern city and capital (1867) of the Austro-Hungarian empire; its old walls were dismantled and replaced by the Ringstrasse. Mayor Karl Luegerwas a model municipal administrator and fiery popular leader. The city grew, by immigration and absorption of suburbs, from 431,100 inhabitants in 1851 to 2,239,000 in 1916, and its ethnic and religious minorities included 200,000 Czechs and 147,000 Jews. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Vienna was the center of psychoanalysis under its originator, Sigmund Freud.      B. Vienna since 1918 After World War I and the breakup of the Empire, Vienna became the capital of a small Austrian epublic. Known as Red Vienna, it was the stronghold of the Austrian Social Democratic Party and the scene of violent confrontations between socialist and right-wing groups. Between 1938 and 1945 it was a provincial capital in the German Reich; the Nazis exterminated most of its Jewish population. After World War II and ten years of Allied occupation, Vienna reemerged as the capital of a neutral Austrian republic. After 1979, it became one of the world headquarters of the United Nations. Population (1991) 1,539,848. Contributed By: George W. Hoffman and Klemens von Klemperer [1]"Vienna."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. SALZBURG Salzburg, city in western Austria, capital of Salzburg Province, on the Salzach River. Industries include tourism, the production of beer, and the manufacturing of metals, chemicals, and textiles. At Salzburg, the Salzach River passes between two lofty masses of rock, one of which, the Mönchsberg (523 m/1716 ft high), bears an 11th-century fort. Originally a Celtic settlement and later a Roman trading center called Juvavum, Salzburg has been an archbishopric since about 800; a 17th-century cathedral in the Italian Renaissance style is in the city. Salzburg was incorporated into Austria in 1814. Salzburg was the birthplace of the 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is also a well-known resort and the site of internationally famous annual music and drama festivals. It is the seat of Salzburg University (1622) and the University of Music and Dramatic Art in Salzburg (1914). The mining of salt has historically been important to the city, which takes its name from the German words salz (salt) and burg (castle or fort). Population (1991) 143,978. [1] [1]"Salzburg."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Other Sources on the Internet (E): Austria Tourism (G/E): City of Salzburg (G/E): Salzburg Tourism MOZART INNSBRÜCK Innsbruck, city in western Austria, capital of Tirol (Tyrol) Province, on the Inn River. Innsbruck is at the junction of two important routes of commerce and travel: the Arlberg Pass, connecting western and eastern Europe, and the Brenner Pass, linking Austria with Italy. An important center of commerce and tourism, the city is also a well-known skiing and mountain climbing center. It was the site of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games. In ancient times the Roman way station of Veldidena occupied the site of the suburb of Wilten. Innsbruck, first mentioned in the 12th century, became the capital of Tirol in 1420. During the 15th century the castle of Fürstenburg with its famous balcony covered by a gilded copper roof was also erected. Other historical points of interest include the Hofkirche, a Franciscan church dating from the 16th century and containing the monumental tomb of Maximilian I, Holy Roman emperor; Innsbruck University (1669); and the former imperial palace, which dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The name of the city comes from the combination of brücke (German for “bridge”) and the name of the local river. Population (1991) 118,112.[1] [1]"Innsbruck."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. COLOGNE Cologne (in German Köln), city in west central Germany, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen), on the Rhine River. Cologne's location at the point where the Rhine crosses the overland route from Paris to northern Germany, and also at the junction of many roads along the Rhine, has given the city great commercial importance. It is a railroad center and a major port. Manufactures in the city include metal goods, motor vehicles, chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, printed materials, chocolate, and a famous type of perfumed liquid, eau de cologne. The city has one of Europe's largest commercial trade-fair facilities. In Roman days the town was a rectangular tract surrounded by walls. Medieval Cologne was crescent shaped and was enclosed by a rampart, walls, and gates. Inside these fortifications was a maze of narrow, crooked streets. Between 1881 and 1885 the fortifications were razed and a circular boulevard, the Ringstrasse, was constructed on their site. Beyond the Ringstrasse is the modern part of Cologne. Across the Rhine is the suburb of Deutz, which is linked with Cologne by several bridges. Cologne is noted for its university, founded in 1388, and for its churches. The Cologne Cathedral, a magnificent example of the Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, has twin spires, each 157 m (515 ft) high. The cathedral was begun in 1248, but was not completed until 1880; it was restored after sustaining heavy damage in World War II (1939-1945). The great bell of the south tower, the Kaiserglocke, cast in 1874 from a French cannon captured in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), is one of the largest in the world. The cathedral, which has been the objective of many pilgrimages, contains the shrine of the Magi, which covers the reputed bones of the three wise men who paid homage to the infant Jesus. The oldest church in Cologne is Sankt Maria im Kapitol; it was consecrated in 1065. Other important churches in the city are those of Sankt Gereon (begun 11th century), Sankt Kunibert (13th century), and the Jesuits' Church (17th century). Among other notable buildings in Cologne are the old city hall, the central and oldest part of which dates from the 14th century; the Gürzenich (mid-15th century), formerly a meeting place for merchants and now a concert hall; and a modern opera house. Museums in the city include the Roman-Germanic Museum; the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, with notable displays of medieval and modern painting, and of the history of photography; the Schnütgen Museum, with a rich collection of ivory carvings and religious art; the Museum of East Asian Art; the Museum of Applied Arts; and a historical museum. Cologne also has a zoo, an aquarium, and a botanical garden. The city is the site of an annual pre-Lenten festival. It is also the birthplace of novelist Heinrich Böll. Cologne was originally a town of the Ubii, a Germanic tribe, and was then called Oppidum Ubiorum. The Romans established a garrison on the site in the 1st century BC. In AD50, Roman Emperor Claudius I founded a colony here and named it Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensis after his wife, Agrippina, a native of the town. It grew and prospered under Roman rule and subsequently under that of the Franks, who took the town about 330. The bishopric of Cologne was founded in 313 and was elevated in 785 to the rank of an archiepiscopal see by Charlemagne. The archbishop of Cologne was recognized as elector of the Holy Roman Empire by an edict, the Golden Bull of 1356. Cologne was an important member of the commercial federation known as the Hanseatic League. During the wars of the French Revolution (1789-1799), the French took Cologne in 1794, and by the Treaty of Lunéville in 1801 they secularized the archbishopric and annexed the city to France. Control of Cologne passed to Prussia in 1815 and the city subsequently grew as an industrial center. Cologne was severely damaged during World War II (1939-1945)—more than 90 percent of the structures were destroyed or damaged—but it was largely rebuilt and modernized by 1960. Serious flooding in 1993 damaged part of the city's center, and an ever bigger flood hit Cologne in early 1995, causing further destruction. The Rhine's water levels in 1995 were the highest recorded in the city in more than 200 years. Population (1997) 963,817.[1] Rhineland, region in western Germany, comprising all the country west of the Rhine River, occupied by parts of the states of North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. The Rhineland contains rich mineral deposits, especially coal, lead, lignite, magnesium, petroleum, and uranium. These resources, the cheap transportation facilities provided by its natural inland waterways, and the productivity of the Ruhr and the Saar Basin areas make the region a principal manufacturing district in Germany. Agricultural industries are also important. A number of the wines of the region are widely noted for their quality. The region contains the leading industrial cities of Koblenz, capital of the former Rhine Province of Prussia; Aachen; Cologne; Düsseldorf; Essen; Duisburg; Solingen; Remscheid; Krefeld; and Saarbrücken. Prior to 1815, when the region was organized by Prussia into two provinces, the area north of the Rhine was made up of duchies and grand duchies, and the area west of the Rhine belonged to the French Empire. In 1824 the area was consolidated into the single Rhine Province. Following World War I (1914-1918) the region was occupied (1918-1930) by Allied troops. In 1936 Germany began to remilitarize the region in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles (1919). Because of its industrial importance, the Rhineland was severely damaged by Allied bombing during World War II (1939-1945).[2] [1]"Cologne."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. [2]"Rhineland."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. LIECHTENSTEIN I. Introduction Liechtenstein, independent principality in central Europe; bounded on the east by Austria, and on the south, west, and north by Switzerland. One of the smallest independent states in the world, Liechtenstein has a total area of 160 sq km (62 sq mi). II. Land and Resources The western edge of Liechtenstein lies in the valley of the Rhine River. The rest of the country consists of foothills of the Alps, which rise in the south to peaks of more than 2,400 m (more than 8,000 ft) above sea level. The Rhine River, which forms the western border, drains, along with its local tributaries, the greater part of the country. The Samina River is the principal stream of the mountain region. Liechtenstein has a mild climate; average temperatures range from -1° C (30° F) in January to 21° C (70° F) in July. The average annual precipitation is about 1,000 mm (about 40 in). Forests cover 38 percent of the land; deciduous trees predominate at lower elevations, conifers at higher elevations. Wildlife includes deer, chamois, fox, marten, and badger. III. Population The population of Liechtenstein (2000 estimate) is 32,410 (about one-third of whom are resident aliens), with an overall density of 203 persons per sq km (525 per sq mi). The capital and principal urban center is Vaduz (population, 1991, 4,887). German is the official language, but a dialect, Alemannish, is spoken commonly. Approximately 88 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. In 1991 primary school enrollment totaled 1,985 pupils; about 1,200 pupils attended secondary schools. Primary and secondary education is free in Liechtenstein; schooling is compulsory for 8 years. IV. Economy Liechtenstein is highly industrialized, with less than 2 percent of the labor force engaged in agriculture. The principal crops are corn, potatoes, barley, wheat, vegetables, and grapes. Livestock are grazed in the alpine meadows in summer. The major manufactures include machinery, pharmaceuticals, food products, metal goods, precision instruments, furniture, and pottery. Much of the principality's income is derived from banking, tourism, the sale of postage stamps, and from international firms that maintain headquarters here because of favorable tax treatment. The unit of currency is the Swiss franc, and Liechtenstein maintains a customs union with Switzerland. The country has 19 km (12 mi) of railroads and 323 km (201 mi) of roads, but it has no airport. V. Government Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy governed by hereditary princes. According to the constitution of 1921, legislative power is exercised by the unicameral parliament, made up of 25 members elected to four-year terms by universal adult suffrage. On the recommendation of parliament, the prince appoints a chief of government and four councillors who form the government. Since 1919, Switzerland has represented Liechtenstein diplomatically. VI. History The modern history of Liechtenstein dates from 1719, when the country formally acquired its present name and ruling family with the consolidation of the counties of Vaduz and Schellenberg under the house of Liechtenstein. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it was allied with the Habsburg monarchy of Austria. When that monarchy was abolished after World War I (1914-1918), Liechtenstein formed its present connection with Switzerland. Prince Franz Joseph II, who became sovereign in 1938, yielded executive authority in 1984 to his son and heir, Crown Prince Hans Adam II, who succeeded his father in 1989. Also in 1984, a referendum granted women the right to vote in national elections. Liechtenstein joined the United Nations in 1990 and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as a full member in September 1991. In December 1992 voters approved Liechtenstein's membership in the European Economic Area (EEA). In February 1993, Markus Buechel of the Progressive Citizens’ Party was elected to the post of prime minister. Buechel inherited a coalition government—made up of his own party and the Fatherland Union—that had ruled the country since 1938. In September, the parliament passed a no-confidence vote against Buechel, saying that he refused to work with other members of the government. However, instead of dismissing Buechel, Prince Hans Adam dissolved parliament and called new elections, saying that the voters should decide who ran the government. In elections held the following month, Mario Frick of the Fatherland Union became prime minister. Frick was returned to office in April 1997. Shortly after the elections the Progressive Citizens’ Party announced that it was leaving the coalition with Frick’s Fatherland Union to become an official opposition party. This was the first time in almost 60 years that the two parties had not governed in an official coalition with one another.[1] [1]"Liechtenstein."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. THE RHINE FALLS (E/G): RhineFalls (E): Pictures of Interlaken (E/G): Rhinefall.com THE BLACK FOREST Black Forest (German Schwarzwald), wooded mountain region in southwestern Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The region is about 160 km (about 100 mi) long, varies in width from about 23 km (about 14 mi) in the north to 61 km (38 mi) in the south, and occupies an area of about 5180 sq km (about 2000 sq mi). Its name refers to the heavy stands of fir on the upper slopes. Below are extensive forests of oak and beech, and logging is a major element of the region's economy. Like much of the forest land in Germany, the Black Forest is plagued by air pollution. Environmental studies have shown that as many as half the trees in the Black Forest and other wooded areas have been damaged by acid rain, automobile emissions, and long-distance industrial pollution. Maximum elevations, mainly in the southern region, include the Feldberg (1493 m/4898 ft) and the Herzogenhorn (1415 m/4642 ft). The highest peak in the north is the Hornisgrinde (1164 m/3819 ft). Near Breisach am Rhein is the volcanic mass of the Kaiserstuhl (557 m/1827 ft). Numerous rivers, including the Danube and the Neckar, rise in the Black Forest. On its eastern slope are many lakes. Mineral springs abound, and the region is known for its health resorts such as Baden-Baden and Wildbad. With 22,950 km (14,260 mi) of trails, the Black Forest is a favorite spot for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. The upland plains are suitable for farming and cattle raising. The region is noted for the production of cuckoo clocks and toys.[1] [1]"Black Forest."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Other Sources on the Internet: (E/G): Black Forest (E/G): World Walks (E/G): Herbert Herr Cuckoo Clocks (E): Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks (E): Hannets Cuckoo Clocks LUCERNE Lucerne, also Luzern, city in central Switzerland, capital of Luzern Canton, at the point where the Reuss River issues from the northwestern extremity of the Lake of Lucerne (Vierwaldstätter See). The city is a busy tourist center and also has plants manufacturing chemicals, metal products, and textiles. In the city are the Glacier Garden, a result of the last Ice Age, excavated in the 1870s; and the Lion of Lucerne, hewn in 1821 out of solid rock after a model by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. The sculpture is a monument to the Swiss Guard, who perished defending the Tuileries during the French Revolution (1789-1799). Lucerne grew up around a monastery built in the 8th century and has been an important trade center since that time. Population (1998) 57,193.[1] [1]"Lucerne."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Other Sources on the Internet: (E/G): pilatus.com (E/G): luzern.org (E): Sites Atlas (E): I love Lucerne. (E): Spirit is up. (E): Lucerne: Sister City of Chicago (E): Bridges of Lucerne (E): Information from the University of Pennsylvania (E): Europe for Visitors (E): About Switzerland (E/G): Swiss Info: Switzerland's news and information platform Tour Fees and Expenses Important Dates and Deadlines Arrive from Germany at Portland International Airport on March 23, 2005. Currency Converters You may find out what the daily currency exchange rate is by looking in the business section of almost any newspaper, such as The Oregonian, Wall Street Journal, or New York Times. The prices listed in the newspapers are for institutions buying/selling large quantities of currency. The rate at which you will buy or sell will be much lower than a regular banking institution. Therefore, do not think that you will get the same exchange rate as Bank of America, U.S. Bank, or others. Looking in the newspaper or on an internet site will give you some idea of what to expect. The vast majority of our time will be spent in Germany and Austria, which use the European Union's Euro. The Swiss Franc is used in Switzerland, and although we will not be there very long, it is a very expensive country. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate how many francs you should buy. I recommend that you do the majority of your buying in Germany or Austria, so that you do not have to worry about having a lot of francs remaining after we leave Switzerland. Here are some websites that will enable to you to see what the current exchange rate is. (E): Bloomberg Converter (E): CNN-Money Magazine Converter (E): Universal Currency Converter (E): X-Rates Travel Tips MONEY ATM cards work great, the exchange rate is the best you will get and the fee charged is better than you will find in the banks. ATM machines are all over the place. Traveler's checks are getting harder to cash - banks take a healthy fee (either a fixed fee or a percentage, avoid the banks that take a percentage). I encourage you to exchange as much money as you can before you leave for Europe. Just take Euros and Swiss Francs in cash and keep it and your passport in a money belt or neck pouch. At the Wells Fargo or US Bank downtown you can change money over the counter. Otherwise you have to have your local branch send it in and it takes a few days to come back to them. They will charge a fee, too. Never exchange money in the airports, train stations, or hotels. They are rip-offs. My best advice: have your parents get you a debit card. Put a limited amount in the account, so they can't take out more than is there. Make sure that you test the card before you leave. Leave yourself options to get more money. Switzerland is expensive. For a twelve day EF tour I recommend you bring a minimum of $300 - more is better (it depends on your the tour guide and what extras he/she may come up with). Debit cards need to be tied to a checking account and NOT to a savings account. If you do not have it connected to a checking account you will have problems getting money out of an ATM, because it is in a savings account. I also suggest that you ask your bank to raise the amount of your daily withdrawl from $200 to $500 or more depending on how much you think you will spend. This will enable you to take out more money if you need it. Obviously, if you are not planning on spending much money, then you will not need to do this. Personally, I do not like to carry large amounts of cash or even traveler's checks. Some U.S. banks have aggreements with German banks, so that you may not have to pay a fee when using your debit card. Deutshe Bank, for example, does not charge Bank of America customers when they use an ATM machine. You must have a bank debit card with a Mastercard or Visa symbol on the card. American ATM cards will NOT work in German ATMs. Have access to enough money. Some businesses may not accept U.S. cards. Ask your bank how much they change for each withdrawl from another bank. You should also let them know that your card will be in use in Europe during a particular time, so that they will not think that someone else is using it and block it. If you withdraw money, take out amounts that witll make it worth your while. Remember that you maybe charged for each withdrawl. LUGGAGE Take luggage on wheels. You don't want to carry luggage. Take a back pack for day use (the EF ones work great for this). Pack very light. When I have traveled with my family, the rule was always: "If you brought it, you carry it." You will bring back much more than you take over. Leave lots of room in your luggage to use for things you bring back. The airlines allow only one checked suitcase and one carry-on bag. If you bring more, you will have to pay a large fee. Remember the standard traveling advise. Pack everything you want and then carry it around for a hour or so. If your arm is stretched out, then take half of the stuff out and leave it home. Your carry-on bag should have a couple changes of underwear, shirts, and socks, in case your suitcase gets lost. I also suggest you include a tooth brush and tooth paste for freshening up. Ear plugs might also be a good idea if you want to block out airplane noise or crying babies to sleep. INSURANCE Make sure that your health insurance will cover any expenses while in Europe, specifically Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This should include include medical transport back to the United States. CELLULAR TELEPHONES Call your cellular telephone provider and ask them to activate the international service on your telephone. HOTEL ROOMS Tour companies typically have more than two students stay in a room together. If you do not want to have a roommate then you will have to pay a higher amount. If you wish to have a particilar roommate, then you will have to notify me as soon as possible. Sometimes you may have to pay a higher amount for having just one roommate. LAUNDRY Have your shirts washed, ironed, and folded at a laundromat before you pack your suitcase. The shirts will stay much more tidy, if they are properly folded. It will also make paking your suitcase easier. Pack your suitcase at least one day in advance of your trip. This will give you enough time to pack calmly so that you, hopefully, will not forget anything or allow you to buy the things you may need. The weather is almost always unpredictable. Rather than packing heavy coats, it is always best to pack lighter clothes, so that you can layer your clothing and regulate your temperature more easily. Take laundry soap (Wisk, etc.) and do laundry in the sink at the hotel and hang it up. Use a hair dryer to dry it if you have to pack the next morning to go to the next place. There are not many laundry facilities, so pack either enough clothes for the trip, or things that can easily be washed in the sink. Wear a shirt/top twice and socks twice. No one is going to know, hopefully. Make sure to bring a new can of deodorant! You might consider bringing clothes that you were going to throw away any way; so that rather than bringing them back dirty and taking space in your suit case, you just throw them away. ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT If you have to have a curling iron and/or hair dryer get a cheap transformer at the AAA store - complete kit includes all the adapters for the outlets. Also can buy these items with a switch that allows them to be used with 220 current. However, they will need adapters. AAA stores carry these, too. In the past, some students have wanted to take a laptop computer, so that they may send emails back to family and friends. I recommend that you NOT bring a computer for several reasons. 1) You will be doing so many things that there will be very little time to email. 2) Germany has cyber cafés from which you may send emails. 3) Laptops are 6 to 7 pounds of extra weigth. Remember it is best to travel light. 4) If you bring a computer or any other type of electronic equipment, it is just one more thing that could get damaged, lost, or even possibly stolen. We will only be in Europe for 10 days. You can survive without a computer. AIRLINES Lufthansa is also one of the absolute best airlines with which to travel. Very professional and very safe. Now that Lufthansa has a hub at the Portland airport, they fly directly to Frankfurt, Germany, which will also greatly reduce problems with transfer problems, lost luggage, and other things. YOUR PERSONAL BEHAVIOR I demand that you be on your best behavior when in Europe. No one will know who you are or that you are from Glencoe High School, but they will know that you are an American. Therefore, you need to always be aware of that. Do not do anything which might embarrass you or your country. You need to also remember that for everyone's safety, everyone needs to follow the trip rules. SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE Drink plenty of water before and during the flight. If you are well-hydrated, you are more likely to reduce the effects of jet lag. Pack your suitcase two days in advance. Make sure that you have everything that you will need. Get plenty of rest. Don't stay up late. You will be tired enough from the plane ride and nine-hour time difference after you arrive. You will want to be as fresh and rested as possible. Begin your trip with a great start. It will set the tone and make your trip so much more enjoyable. ON THE AIRPLANE It is a long flight from Oregon to Germany, therefore, dress comfortably. There may be a chance that the airplane could be delayed for whatever reason while you are on board. In this situation, the airplane's climate control system does not always work at full capacity. It may get very hot and humid in the airplane. Wear clothes that would be comfortable or that you could remove in this situation. Bring something to occupy your time. Bring German flashcards, music, a magazine, a book, a newspaper, a crossword puzzle, a deck of playing cards. Whatever you bring should be light and even disposable. Ask yourself: "Will I want to pack it around with me when I am traveling?" If you want to watch the in-flight movie, you may have to purchase special headphones. Bring about $10, if you want to watch the movie. Packing Tips The items listed below are items which I suggest that you take on the trip. Make sure that the items, especially the health and hygiene items, are new or full, so you will not run out. Remember that you will be gone for twelve days. Of course, you do not have to take everything on the list, however, you need to be comfortable and I do not want you to forget anything. Check German websites for the weather conditions several weeks prior to departure. This will give you an idea as to what kind of clothes to bring on the trip. Links to German weather websites may be found on the reference page of this website. Packing Checklist: Required items: I suggest that you have all of your important information laminated or in a plastic bag. ___ U.S. passport: valid 6 months after date of return (Do NOT pack this in your suitcase!) ___ two photocopies of passport in luggage (the passport picture MUST be very clear) ___ two photocopies of passport left at home (the passport picture MUST be very clear) ___ two photocopies of airline ticket (one at home and one with you) ___ trip itinerary with hotel names, addresses, and telephone numbers ___ Euros, ATM, and credit cards (Do NOT pack these in your suitcase!) ___ insurance information: company, policy number, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address ___ physician information: name, address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address ___ emergency addresses, email addresses, and telephone and fax numbers Health and hygiene items: ___ soap (placed in a small, plastic, zip-lock bag) ___ shampoo ___ deodorant ___ toothbrush ___ toothpaste ___ razor ___ shaving cream ___ hair gel / spray ___ lip moisturizer / lotion ___ brush / comb ___ Band-Aids ___ medications (in original packaging with copy of prescription) ___ aspirin ___ cold medication (Nyquil, etc.) ___ eye glasses / contact lenses (carry in a hard, protective case for both) ___ contact lens solution: wetting and cleaning ___ nail clippers ___ feminine hygiene products Clothing items: ___ 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes, which you have already broken in ___ light-weight, wind-breaking jacket ___ sweater or sweatshirt ___ long-sleeved shirt ___ watch (with a new battery) ___ rain gear ___ shirts/blouses ___ t-shirts ___ shorts/skirts ___ pants ___ belt ___ socks ___ underwear ___ sleepwear ___ sunglasses ___ brimmed hat ___ swim suit (plastic bag) Backpack items: ___ small dictionary (German - English / English - German) ___ water bottle ___ handkerchieves / tissues ___ camera (with new batteries) ___ film (placed in luggage that will not be x-ray scanned) ___ journal ___ ball-point pens ___ safety pins Miscellaneous items: ___ a pouch to hang around your neck to carry passport, money, and ATM card ___ wash cloth ___ small-medium plastic bags ___ small travel alarm clock (with new batteries) ___ ear plugs (for the plane and in case your roommate snores) ___ electricity converter (if you need to use any U.S. electrical products) ___ small packages of tissues (Kleenex) ___ scarf, bandanna ___ sunscreen ___ small sewing kit (if you can sew) Your specialty items: ___ ______________________________________________ ___ ______________________________________________ ___ ______________________________________________ ___ ______________________________________________ ___ ______________________________________________ Notes on luggage: You can check in one piece of luggage on our flight. You may also carry on a purse/pouch and a small bag. Pack your carry-on with items that you would find essential should your luggage get lost (underwear, t-shirt). Bring only what you can easily manage by yourself. Leave some room for bringing home souvenirs. Notice that I did not list cd player, cds, Gameboys, etc. as something you should take. You should leave all that stuff at home. You are paying a lot of money and travelling a great distance to experience new things. You will get so much more out of the trip if you focus your attention to things around you. In addition, if you leave all of your electronic stuff at home, it will not be lost, stolen, or broken on the trip. We will have a pre-trip preparation meeting, you will bring all your bags packed with everything you are wanting to bring with you for the trip. Sometime during the meeting you will have to pick up all your bags and take a hike of a quarter mile or more. You will carry your luggage around the school building, including up and down the stairs; we pull the gate closed to about the width of a train aisle and line up and hurry through that; then you hoist them up on top of the lockers to simulate putting your bags onto the overhead racks in the train. You are not allowed to help or be helped with the luggage. EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE WHEN NECESSARY. No one will always want to help you with your 80 pound bags and carry their bags too! That sort of behavior gets old fast and increases tensions in the group quickly! After this exercise, partcipants always reduced the amount of items they brought along. Once on the trip, they were all happy they cut out things they only thought they would need. LESS IS BETTER AND FASTER!