European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 10, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Lichtenstein Switzerland continued from Page 13 the dec. 10-12 tour was packed with 47 of the 49 seats reserved. We Don t always have enough participants Bowles said. Normal is about 30 people. This has never happened the 47 travellers on the tour were a Hodgepodge. There were senior citizens a group of women co workers a few couples 20 reservists from Pennsylvania on temporary duty in Germany people visiting Europe for the first time and some stragglers. All came with the common cause to catch a glimpse of Europe at a reasonable Price. The express tour began As most enjoy Tours do with mass pickup from various destinations across Germany and drop off at the Mannheim Hub from where All Tours leave. On this particular evening it was Midnight before the passengers were divvied up and the Tours began. Once in route Bowles introduced himself and bus Drivers ton and Volker. He gave a Brief description of the tour and said the first Stop would be in two hours. The two hours passed in a Flash and the bus halted at a Roadside Stop for one hour. Red eyed passengers filed out of the bus to use the facilities drink Coffee smoke and relax. By the Way it was a nonsmoking bus once Back on the bus Bowles vowed not to disturb everyone until breakfast in Switzerland at 6 .a.m. " the lights went out. Mootoo the Wake up cow Call that abruptly roused everyone from their Semi conscious state was not something that brought out the Best in the travellers. But cooperatively All 47 people trudged off the bus in a trance. Inside the Roadside cafe Gol Schloss people had their Choice of croissants pastries Yogurt hot chocolate juice and Coffee. The colds toss is reasonably priced. A croissant and Coffee Cost under 7 Swiss francs about $5. A note to interested travellers be sure to Exchange Money ahead of time. The Roadside stops have horrible Exchange rates. You will Only need a few francs because everything else can be paid for in Parks or dollars. The next Stop was the Small woodcarving Village of Brienz Switzerland. As the bus journeyed through the Small Swiss towns toward Brienz Bowles spouted off some facts about the Region priming the group for a tour of a woodcarving Center. At approximately 8., Henrietta greeted the less than Rowdy group and guided members on a speedy tour through the Wood shop where several Large carvings could be seen in various stages of production. Then she turned the group Loose in the very expensive but Nice woodcarving store. The group had enough time to explore the town of Brienz walk along the Lake and do a bit of shopping in the stores which opened their doors just in time to Welcome the americans. The next Stop was Lucerne Switzerland. As the bus began winding its Way up through the Alps toward Lucerne it began to Snow. Bowles gave the crowd a solemn explanation that because of the crossing into the austrian Border. Hand carved bears in two stages of production. Weather there would be no boat ride on Lake Lucerne usually costing an additional 15 Swiss francs or about $10no ride on the ski lift in Malbun Liechtenstein usually costing $10 for the optional excursion and 8 Swiss francs about $5.50 for the ski lift ride up to the 2,000-meter Peak and because there was no Malbun there would be no Stop at Heidi land the area in Switzerland that inspired the children s novel Heidi. He also said photo opportunities would be rare if the snowy Clouds did not disappear. The group seemed to take the news Well. Once in Lucerne Bowles pointed out the Chapel Bridge recently burned Down and guided the group to the famous mount of Lions. Bowles then let the gang Loose for about four hours to roam around and do As it wished. He explained that there was a lot to do in the City and pointed the group in the direction of rolex shops and various popular sights. The next Stop was Liechtenstein one of the world s smallest countries at 61 Square Miles. But first the bus Drivers surprised the group by venturing up the Mountain toward the famous ski resort of Malbun usually the optional tour. Because of a blizzard the bus was Able to climb Only partially up the Mountain before stopping in a parking lot. This was of with the group especially when the doors opened and a snowball fight began. After everyone was soaked it was off to Vaduz Liechtenstein. In Vaduz the group was Given enough time to stroll the town have a drink get their passports stamped costing 1 Swiss franc about 68 cent Sand then it was Back on the bus. The next Stop was Fel Kirch Austria to the 12th Century Shattenberg Castle. This Stop was Well Worth the whole trip. Helena guided the group on a Damp night tour of the Castle boasting of its previous residents and showing off the treasures of the House. What makes this tour different from most Castle Tours is that All the historic pieces such As furniture and statues Are not kept under Glass. The group was thrilled at being Able to touch the treasures and feel the garments that once belonged to Royalty. A passenger enjoys a solitary walk along the shores of Lake Brienz in the Swiss town of Brienz the 12th-Century Schattenburg Castle in Fel Kirch Austria was the final Stop of the tour. Within the Castle is Knight s Hall where the group if option of a tons for about 220 Austria schillings you can pay the tour guide with dollars in Advance about $18those who worked up an appetite could enjoy a monstrous schnitzel with French Fries and a salad. Drinks Are not included in u 5nce those who did not Wisn to participate inthe dinner had the option of choosing their own restaurant in the town. Satisfied travellers then boarded the bus for Home. It had been a Long Day for everyone and most seemed to enjoy the tour. The bus made a one hour Stop along the route giving the Drivers and passengers a break and the bus returned to the Mannheim depot about 2 tour guide Donald Bowles. Vaduz Castle Home of the reigning Prince overlooks the town of Vaduz Liechtenstein. The Castle is not open to the Public. Much sightseeing was done through a bus window. Weary but enthusiastic travellers Praise grueling journey you know it s deadly but you sign up any a said Gwen Lewis from Wiessen Germany referring to the enjoy Tours three countries express tour it the december tour which took travellers to Switzerland Liechtenstein and Austria in a matter of 26 hours was deemed tolerable and even exciting by most of the participants. The Overall consensus was that it May be a bit tiring but definitely Worth it. For the Cost it s worthwhile said Pearle Jenkins a tourist from North Carolina visiting a Friend in Germany. The express tour covers a or. Switzerland was my favorite. It s a Beautiful postcard everything the tour costs $55 per person and includes transportation to All three countries. Meals and optional excursions Cost extra. The enjoy Tours guide fills in the history and details of each country while on the bus and also takes the group to a few places during the stops. For the Money you can t beat it said Veronica Burrows from Butzbach Germany. This was her second enjoy Tours excursion and she claims it s a great Way to travel. Donald Bowles the tour guide on the december trip said the Success of the trip sometimes depends on the Type of people who Are participating. He said the express trip is one of his favourites and assured livery tour is it s a Good place to meet new people Lewis said. She added that even though the weather was bad she had a great time. Lewis an experienced traveler advised that the Best Way to remain comfortable on the tour is to bring a change of clothes and a some travellers did grumble about some aspects of the tour such As the closed bar the Lack of tearoom on the bus and the Crummy weather. Bowles verified " that the Winter Tours weren t As popular As the rest of the year because of the weather. First it. Mark Livingston said he too was disappointed with the weather but it was Worth the $55 because of the scenery he said. I got to see houses towns and the Livingston and 20 others from a Reserve unit in Pennsylvania were on temporary duty for three weeks at 100th general Supply co in Kaiserslautern Germany. He said representatives of the area sat travel office were at the unit s Welcome briefing upon arrival in Germany and this express tour was one of the trips offered. The colonel wanted everyone to see As much of Europe As we could while we Are Here Livingston said. And it s a Good Way for us to get out of the Keri Ann Southworth 14 stripes Magazine february 10, 1994 february 10, 1994 stripes Magazine 75
