European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 25, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse A group of cub scouts has its Start cards stamped at a walk checkpoint. . A a a a a. A a Europe on see the and meet the people a a Vav a y a is amps John Taylor two four legged friends join walkers on a forested Trail near Wiesbaden Germany. By Donald Seltzer you be seen the ads offering bus Tours Rait trips ship cruises airline and car rental packages promoting themselves As the Way to see Europe the prices look enticing and they re certainly Good ways to explore Europe s Many countries. But How much do you realty learn about a location while being herded about from one place to another seeing cities through bus windows and the Countryside from the Highway or rail y one of the Best a and least expensive a ways to explore and get to know Europe up close and personal is by foot specifically through the sport of Volks marching. The idea of an organized vol Smarsch or Quot people s walk Quot was begun by clubs in germ a by Switzerland Liechtenstein and Austria 26 years ago. It is a non competitive sport that offers walking bicycling swimming and Cross country skiing activities to its participants. Today there Are events in 26 countries around the world organized through the Parent organization internationale in. An integral part of the program is the ability of participants to earn recognition and awards for reaching periodic milestones in the distance achieved and or the number of events completed As Well As an immediate award for completing an event s Trail. For Many walkers this is their primary reason for Volks marching. However Volks marching. For giving people a Chance to see Europe at its Best. Participants in the sport will attest to the friendliness of the local participants. The difference in language even in the United kingdom should never be considered a problem. Smiles and hand signals convey most messages and the trails Are almost always Well marked. Any attempt to use the local language usually results in getting to know a Little More about the area and its people. A sponsoring club will often set up its walking trails to highlight area attractions or showcase the Countryside s scenery. Local club members and townspeople Are usually very Happy to talk about their Hometown a and do so with obvious Pride. /. A a a v a. The variety of sights available to Volks marchers is in itself amazing. Even the trip from Home to the event can add to the have strolled on trails set up in and around medieval walled cities explored tunnels beneath a world War ii fortress passed by the famous monuments of stonehenge and Wood henge visited an 850-year- monastery crossed an Active Airport Landing strip enjoyed a steam train. Excursion and found themselves awed by the monuments of Paris and Brussels. Walks sponsored by military clubs have put Volks marchers on air base runways in bunkers and hangars and on training area ranges As a part of their event. Static displays of aircraft and vehicles added to the interest of the event. Vol Smarch trails have wound through vineyards and Fields Over Hills and through valleys in forests and towns. At the end of a walk comparisons of the Countryside to a Coffee table picture Book of Europe seem. Inevitable. A. A Best of All the individual Volks Marcher ends up in the Middle of it. 5urrounded by the Beauty of the Fields taking in the fragrance of the Flowers and Trees seeing the grandeur of Europe s history in its castles and monuments a almost being overwhelmed by it All. When was the last time you got that feeling on a bus tour the Cost for Quot getting personal with Europe and your Host country is minimal. The average Cost of a Start card is about $1.20 in the equivalent local currency getting an award raises the average Cost to the equivalent of $4,50. Although not. Required Many individuals wish to keep track of the number of events and i amp Ance walked the average Cost of these in record books is about $4.50 each. Food and beverages both at the starting location and on the Trail Are quite Good and reasonably priced. Walks sponsored by the French army have earned an outstanding reputation in this area liquid refreshment Trail s control Points is free in Many countries or available at a Small Cost. Many events can be reached using Public transportation and a Large number of clubs will offer free shuttle Servic Between the train station and the starting Point. A. A. ,. Most vol Smarch clubs military and civilian alike will offer one or More bus trips each year to its members at a. Reasonable Cost. Often the fee is reduced or dropped altogether for those members who Volunteer to work at the club s own event. A i. A Volks marchers Are also Able to see various attractions at a reduced Cost through walking events. A few recent examples include museum discounts offered at walks at Benberg and Rothenburg . Tauber Germany private hotel discounts for walkers on the Isle of Wight England and free Entrance to the Keuken Hof gardens while on the. Vol Smarch trails at Lisse Netherlands. Discount lodging is also available to the Volks Marcher by Way of guest facilities at nearby military installations. Making use of the sleeping accommodations and dining military installations will help keep expenses at a minimum. It also puts visitors in relatively familiar surroundings helps us to learn More about the local. Y people and customs As Well As offering the added Benefit of improving our a understanding of the role our allies have in the Security of Europe. Granted All you have to do on a bus air or rail tour is sit Back and relax in a closed air conditioned environment on a vol Smarch you la have to actually walk six Miles or so outdoors in the fresh air. But what is really the better Way to see a country and get to know its people in 1993,15 million people around the world thought the answer to that question was Volks marching and they participated in More than 7,600 events. That Many people can t be wrong. Donald Seltice Iva Irea Lance in Tel Whoso vol Smarch column appears with my in stripes Magazine
