Europe Travel Notes and Packing List Before getting to recommendations that should help you to get ready for the trip, please let me explain a few things. By now you are probably getting almost daily advice about what to see and do on the trip. Obviously, there is more to see and do than we will have time for. Nevertheless, do not think that you aren't going to have a very rich experience. Included are attractions that should be of greatest interest and value to a landscape architect. You won't have to worry about wandering about half lost in search of the next thing to see. In some places we will zero in on one or two particular points of interest and leave. Therefore, what might seem like a terribly rushed schedule is not. Travel, by the way, from place to place is one of the delights of the tour. We will be taking very beautiful rides from place to place, and I have often heard people agree with my view that the travel between stops is the best part of the trip. If you have any provincial ideas about food, just forget them now. Although McDonalds is now throughout the world, in most places you will delight in dishes that you would never dream of eating. At times you won't be able to get what you want at any price, so just get used to the idea that you are going to survive, it won't make you sick, it is cleaner than it looks, and you will probably crave calamari, tortufo, eisbein, escargot, wienerbrod, croissant, etc., etc., after you get home. By the way, Cokes are very expensive. They are served warm and it is a waste of breath to ask for ice! At times free water is scarce, but it is very safe to drink. It is therefore, a good idea to have some sort of nonbreakable water container such as a scout canteen or a plastic bottle for carrying water with you. Breakfast. Now why would I dwell on this subject? Well, if you don't eat the breakfast that usually comes with the price of your hotel room, you will be overspending on between-the-meal snacks to make up for lost calories. You will need the energy. Eat everything that the Hotel will give to you. Breakfast, by the way, varies from country to country. On the continent, you will have to get used to the idea of a cold breakfast. There will be breads of every description, butter, jam, coffee or tea (sometimes hot chocolate). In Holland they will usually throw in cold cuts or cheese. In Italy be prepared for semi starvation. Coffee "concentrate" is served in small doses, and, well, you had better have a banana or something in your pocket. About museums. . . This is not a museum tour, however, if that is your main interest you can spend all of your time in them. Only on some portions of the trip will you be required to stay with the group on the various tours. In fact, in the big cities, I will note various alternatives, and you will be encouraged to strike out in the direction that interests you most. However, I will always offer an orientation tour, and you are welcome to explore with me. Just remember where you are staying, and you will be able to find your way back. Sometimes it is a great adventure to get lost, and suddenly discover that you can speak more of the language than you ever thought. . . Packing is a most important part of planning for this trip. You have to begin thinking about it now. You must bring only what you absolutely need and that is less than you imagine. There are seldom elevators in hotels, and you will have to carry your luggage in airports. If you are not sure how heavy heavy is, pack your luggage and walk for a minimum of 20 minutes. Then you will know. The most efficient way to travel is with a backpack. If you prefer a suitcase, choose a very lightweight suitcase with a shoulder strap or with wheels. The airlines will allow you to check two suitcases and to carry on one. The carry on bag must fit under your seat or in the rack above. Small suitcases with wheels are designed to fit in the luggage rack. Check the specifications before buying. Fashion is out. Fads are out. Make this test. Take a sample trousers, or skirt, a shirt and some underwear. Try washing it in your bathroom wash basin. Hang to dry inside the bathroom. That, friends, will be your laundry while traveling! If the garments do not wash or dry properly, don't bring them. This usually means knits and synthetics or mixed fabrics. Some knits and synthetics do not dry quickly, by the way. TIP roll the wet garment in a towel to absorb much of the moisture before hanging to dry. We have been informed that in Paris and Rome there are self service laundries near the hotels! To make matters more difficult, we will experience a wide range of climates. When we arrive in Holland and Belgium it might be warm or very cool and damp. Be prepared for rain and cold. An umbrella (folding umbrellas such as "Totes" usually work best because they can be packed away) is a must. Warm clothes are a must, but they must also serve in heat waves and in warm to hot climates such as Italy as well. Layers usually work best. Design your wardrobe to be used one layer upon another. Coordinate all articles so that you may devise different outfits by mixing and matching. Shoes must be very sturdy and comfortable. Blisters could end your tour. Buy your shoes in advance. Buy shoes that are heavy, with cushioning built in. Close your eyes. Buy by the feel. European made shoes (except English) usually do not fit American feet (and that includes all those beautiful Italian shoes). An extra pair of light weight shoes are good for bus riding, and relaxing, however. Jogging shoes work well. Choose clothes with darker colors that will not look too dirty. If you are careful, you will not have to wash pants during the trip. Be very conservative. Shorts are appropriate in some areas of Europe. Females are not allowed in Italian churches with bare upper arms, etc. Here is a suggested packing list, but revise it to suit your needs: (Ladies beware; I'm guessing!) Suggested Reading: Europe Through The Back Door By Rick Steeves - He gives good advice Shoes 2 pairs Underwear 5-7 pairs Socks 5-7 pairs Handkerchiefs 3-5 Short sleeve shirts 2-3 Long sleeve shirts 1-2 Pants or skirts 2 Shorts (optional) 1 Windbreaker jacket (water resistant) Sweater - light weight Scarf (helps keep you warm with minimum of clothes) Swimsuit Umbrella Old Coat (if you are cold natured, you may want to take along an old coat or raincoat for Holland, Belgium and France. It might be hot or cold there.) Camera and film (Film is expensive in Europe; purchase at a discount here. (30-40 rolls would not be too much.) DO NOT PACK FILM IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. ALWAYS CARRY ON! No electrical appliances. Unless you have a transformer and adaptor plugs. The European voltage is usually 220v, plugs vary and cycles vary; leave hair dryers at home. 10-12 feet of Nylon 1/8" rope for a clothes line. Clothes pins 10-12 Hangers for drip dry shirts. Pocket calculator (optional) Container of "Woolite" (powder - not liquid; the best product for washing). Soap container and one bar soap Wash cloth (Europeans carry their own. Hotels do not furnish.) Plastic bag to hold wet washcloth. Plastic bag for dirty clothes Small knife, can opener, plastic spoon and cup for picnics. Toilet articles. Small sizes. You can buy more everywhere. Foot powder Toilet Tissue - 3/4 to « roll for emergency use, sniffles, etc. (The French paper is designed to torture.) Eyeglasses prescription in case you break yours. Medications that you need and drug prescriptions in generic terms if you really need certain items. Sunglasses Needle, thread and a few buttons and safety pins for repairs. Anti-diarrhea medicine (the tiny prescription pills, "Lomotil", are easy to carry or over the counter Imodium AD.) Travel clock Health precautions: No shots or vaccinations are required for European Travel, but TETANUS is recommended. Narcotics: If you don't have a Doctor's prescription for them, just DON'T have any at all. Forget it. Don't carry anything across a border for a stranger. Be very careful about this. Pack all liquids in zip lock bags to catch spills! Bring extra zip lock bags. They come in handy. WARNING: Pack articles that you will need for the first two days in your carry on baggage to avoid losing everything if your luggage is lost in transit. Money: Bring you check card (debit card) to obtain foreign currency from ATM machines at the best exchange rates. I am told that regular ATM cards also work. Ask your bank. Commissions are charged for exchanging travel checks and the exchange rates are bad. Bring some money in travel checks as a back up, perhaps $200. If you can, have small quantities of foreign currency for each country that we will visit except Czechoslovakia. Conserve limited funds by shopping in markets for your lunch. It's great fun and you will have delicious experiences. Assume that a simple restaurant dinner will be about 50% more than at home. Safety Protect your money, passport and ticket at all times. Beware of pickpocket, particularly in Italy. Consider "wearing" your valuables in a neck pouch. They are available at Council Travel offices. Check the yellow pages under "Travel Agencies". They also are sold at luggage stores. Make xerox copies of your passport and credit cards. Keep in a separate suitcase or exchange with a friend. Approximate Currency Exchange Rates Austria 15 per dollar Belgium 45 per dollar Czechoslovakia 40 per dollar France 7 per dollar Germany 2 per dollar Italy 2100 per dollar (That means 20,000-30,000 Lire for supper!) Netherlands 2.2 per dollar Switzerland 1.5 per dollar Participants and Roommates Codes: (also indicates roommates) U - Undergraduate G - Graduate Student A - Alumni F - Faculty M - Family Member R - Friend Cynthia Cash (A); Anne Legette (G) Betty Jo Carroll (M); Elizabeth Pope (A) Brad Cowan (U); Christine Cowan (M) Harry Dill (A); Rong Huan (R) Christine Forsman (A); Barbara Smith (M) Charles Fryling (F); JoAnn Looney (R) Sarah Green (R); Robert Green (A) J. Hamilton (R); Danny McElmurray (G) Leslie Chacon (F); Maria Isaula (F) Frank Lewis (G); Richard Hendon (A) Marianne Mumford (A); Alan Mumford (A) Diane Reich (M); Susanna Reich (M); Seth Reich (M) Tambra Shell (A); Gary Shell (M) Patti Spann (A); Baxter Spann (A) Anne Spafford (F); Michael Spafford (M) Catherine Williams (M); Richard Williams, Jr. (U) Gretchen Williams (M); Richard Williams, (F) Chad Robert (A); Danny Becnel (A) Marcus Azzarello (A); Josh Garver (R) James Richards (A); Bob Reich (F) Michael Perry (U); Michael San Miguel (A) Andre Neff (A); Kyle Huffstickler (A) Max Conrad (F); Marguerite Conrad (M) Hotel List: Note: In Europe add a zero. Ex. 31-020-665-11-71 From U.S. the same # is 011-31-20-665-11-71 11th June Amsterdam Hotel Casa 400**, James Wattstraat 75, NL 1 night 1097 DL Amsterdam Tel: 011-31-20-665-11-71 / 665-71-81 Fax: 011-31-20-663-03-79 12th June Gent Europahotel**, Gordunakai 59, B - 9000 Gent 2 nights Tel: 011-32-9-222-60-71 Fax: 011-32-9-220-06-09 14th June Paris Hotel Carlton's***, 55, Blvd. Rochechouart, 75009, Paris 4 nights Tel: 011-33-1-42-81-91-00 Fax: 011-33-1-42-81-97-0 18th June Malters Hotel Kreuz Malers, Luzernstrasse 63, CH 1 night 6102 Malters (nearby Lucerne) Tel: 011-41-41-497-14-01 Fax: 011-41-41-497-30-67 19th June Milan Hotel Centro Ornato**, Via L. Ornato 64, I-Milan 1 night Tel: 011-39-2-647-35-12 Fax: 011-39-2-643-80-01 20th June Montecatini Hotel Portofino**, Via delle Saline 18, I-Montecatini 1 night Tel: 011-39-572-78978 Fax: 011-39-572-78978 21st June Rome Hotel Hermittage****, Via E. Vayna 12, Pairoli 3 nights I-Rome. Tel: 011-39-6-80-70-454 24th June Rome Hotel Hermittage**** 1 night Spann, Shell and Rong only 24th June Montecatini Hotel Portofino**, Via delle Saline 18, I-Montecatini 1 night Tel: 011-39-572-78978 Fax: 011-39-572-78978 25th June Puntasabbioni Hotel Lio Grando***, Piazzale Lio Grando, 2 nights I-Puntasabbioni (Beach Near Venice) Tel: 011-39-41-5301200 Fax: 011-39-41-658-384 27th June Kirchberg Hotel Taxacherhof, Aschauerstr. 46, 1 night A-6365 Kirchberg. (Near Kitzbuhl) Tel: 011-43-5357-2527 Fax: 011-43-5357-4201 28th June Wallersee Gasthof zur Post, A-5201 Seekirchen am Wallersee 2 nights (Near Salzburg) Tel: 011-43-6212-22-29 Fax: 011-43-6212-79-77 30th June Praha Hotel REHA**, Uzlabine 19, CZ - 108 51 Praha 2 nights 10-Malesice Tel: 011-42-2-774297 / 779041-8 Fax: 011-42-2-770623 2nd July Schwetzingen Achat Hotel "Am Schlossgarten", Schalzigweg 1-3 1 night D - 68723 Schwetzingen, (Near Heidelberg) Tel: 011-49-6202-206-0 Fax: 011-49-6202-206-333 3rd July Drop off early morning at Frankfurt Airport