Inside you’ll find lots of important informationabout your tour & all the places you’ll visit

EuropeWinter2009/10Incl. Ski &Snowboarding

TravellersGuide

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Welcome to ContikiWe at Contiki recognise that this may be your first trip toEurope so we have put this booklet together to provide youwith as much background detail and information as we canabout Europe and importantly, your Contiki holiday.

We have included our suggestions and ideas on manyquestions that you may have as well as providing generalinformation on many of the countries you may be visiting onyour trip. We hope this will help you in preparing for andenjoying your holiday. We have found from past experiencethat our clients enjoy their trip that much more having takenthe time to carefully read this booklet before leaving home.

Most holidays are as good - or bad - as people make themand ours are no exception. Over forty five years experienceand hard work have gone into planning and organising yourholiday, and throughout the trip we’ll be doing our best tomake it the ‘holiday of a lifetime’. Nevertheless, in the end,the success of your holiday will depend on you, for you willonly get out of it what you yourself put into it.

Finally, we want to thank you for choosing Contiki - togetherwe’ll prove that your choice for enjoyment, quality and valuefor money was the right one.

Ben HallManaging DirectorContiki Europe

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Personal detailsAbout me:

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Home Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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email: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mobile Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Home Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Blood Group: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Allergies: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Driver’s Licence (Home): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Driver’s Licence (International): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contiki ekit Number: . . . . . . . . . . . . PIN: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Emergency contact:

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Passport details:

Number: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Expiry Date: . . . . . . . . .

Date passport issued: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where passport issued: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Holiday insurance:

Company Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Policy Number: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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ContentsBefore you go 7-14• What and how much to bring • Baggage allowance

• Checklist for touring & ski holidays • Insurance

• Passports and Visas • Vaccinations

• Currency/Credit cards • Leaving home

• Making phone calls • Flying hints

The London scene 15-23• Getting into London • London Underground map

• Contiki’s London hotels • Map of hotels

• Contiki London ‘The Basement’ • Useful information

Tour & ski departure details 24-26• Departure points • Ski holidays by air

• Pre-departure briefings • If you miss the coach

Touring the facts 28-31• The Contiki team • Accommodation • Meals

Skiing the facts 32-35• The resort of Hopfgarten • Meals

• Ski piste map • Ski extras • Budgeting

• Optional ski excursions • Ski jargon

General touring information 36-48• Winter departures • Weekend & public holidays

• Transport • Smoking • Music • Budgeting

• Optional meals & excursions • Shopping

• Photography • Health & hygiene • Local customs

• Tipping • VAT • Calling home • Clothing sizes

• Temperature chart • Calender • Useful words

• Currency table • Mailing address

• Contiki approved shops & factories

Europe uncovered 49-78• Map • Austria • Czech Republic • Egypt • France

• Germany • Great Britain • Italy • Liechtenstein • Monaco

• Netherlands • Spain • Switzerland

Contiki notes 79-80

Stay in touch 81

Contiki’s offices 82

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Before you goWhat and how much to bringOne of the most stressful decisions to make on any holiday iswhat to pack. To alleviate your concerns, we have set out thefollowing checklist of useful articles to bring and our guidelinesof how much is allowed. When packing, the golden rule ofseasoned travellers worldwide is: Decide how many clothesyou want to take - halve the amount and that’s how muchyou’ll need!

Baggage allowanceBaggage is restricted to one reasonably sized suitcase.Please ensure your suitcase is NO LARGER than 73cm x50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”) and maximum weight of20kgs (44lbs) (non expanding) for all Time Out/Superiortours. On all tours the suitcase size and weight is very strictlyenforced. Only 1 small piece of hand luggage will be allowedon the coach (maximum weight of 5kg/11lbs). Theserequirements are for your own comfort and safety. Pleaseensure that your suitcase is the correct size before departure.If not you will be asked to change your suitcase on themorning of departure thus incurring extra costs of a newsuitcase and storage of excess luggage.

ChecklistPlease read the checklist and suggested clothing list below.In Europe in winter warm clothing is required.

Touring holidays• Warm rainproof jacket • Jeans

• Thermals • Thick Sweater

• Shirts • Socks

• Underwear • Towel (must have for Schoneck

• Comfortable walking shoes ski tour)

• ‘Going Out’ shoes • Sunglasses

• Sun screen • Travel Alarm Clock

• Aspirin - medicines etc • Flashlight

• Writing material • Handkerchiefs - tissues

• Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses (if applicable)

• Adaptor if you bring hair dryer or electric shaver (this should bepurchased prior to leaving home). European voltage is different tothat of North America.

Have you remembered your Rechargeable Phonecard?(You will find your Contiki Phonecard, powered by ekit, inyour document wallet. Your phonecard is already chargedwith enough credit to make a 5-minute call home, plus youget BONUS call time when you recharge it - check it out!!)

Une visite gratuite et guidée pour découvrirles secrets de la création des parfums dansnos usines de Grasse et de Eze-Village.

Welcome to the world of Fragonard. Freeguided tour of our factories and museums.

ParisFragonard

MUSÉE DU PARFUM :9 RUE SCRIBE75009 PARIST. +33 (0)1 47 42 04 56

MUSÉE DES CAPUCINES : 39, BOULEVARD DES CAPUCINES75002 PARIST. +33 (0)1 42 60 37 14

E-MAIL : TOURISME@FRAGONARD.COM . WWW.FRAGONARD.COM

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Before you goHis and hersHis: • Casual Shirts • Smart trousers • Tie • Blazer - JacketHers: • Skirts • Dresses • Smart dress (for evenings out)

Hand luggage - overnight bagOn many tours, it is beneficial and useful to carry and packovernight bags for overnight stops. We suggest that yourpiece of hand luggage serves as an overnight bag as well.

Clothing for ski & snowboard holidaysFor skiing, warmth is essential, but do try to avoid the bulk thatis usually associated with keeping the cold out. It is far better tohave a few layers of thin, but warm, clothing rather than onethick, restricting pullover. This means that you can peel off alayer at a time as you get hot from skiing (or falling over!). Before you go, you should be sure to have the following:

• Ski jacket: Should be snow and wind proof, warm, yetlightweight with enough room for two thin sweaters.

• Salopettes/ski pants/overpants: Should be of a warm, waterresistant material.

• Gloves or mittens: It is essential to have a good pair of glovesor mittens. The best protection is provided by fleece-lined,waterproof, leather or gore-tex gloves/mittens.

• Sunglasses or goggles: Sunglasses or goggles are a definite'must'. If you choose sunglasses, it is essential that theyare shatterproof.

• Socks: A thin pair worn underneath a thicker pair or doublelayer of socks are usually the most comfortable.

• Sweaters: Two thin sweaters are warmer than one thick one.Cotton polo necks are good to wear under wool sweaters asthey provide protection for your neck.

• Après-Ski boots: Take rubber soled boots, preferably warmand waterproof.

• Hats: A hat is essential for warmth as you lose a lot of bodyheat through your head. It is a good idea to buy one thatprotects your cheeks.

• Sun screen: A waterproof, high protection factor sun screenwill protect skin both from the strong rays of the sun and thedrying effect of the wind.

• Lip screen: To provide protection from chapped lips.

Please Note: Ski clothing can also be hired in Hopfgarten.See p.34 for details.

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Before you goSafeguardsPre-planning is essential before any trip; especially planning forthe unexpected. On the next few pages we list common areaswhere mishaps can occur. By following the advice given you cansave your trip of a lifetime from becoming your worst nightmare!

Travel InsuranceAll clients should have an insurance policy which covers the following:• Cancellation and curtailment • Loss of/or damage to baggage • Loss of money (cash), travellers cheques or personal belongings• Medical insuranceIf you are bringing along expensive articles such as jewellery, orphotographic equipment, check the value per item covered by yourtravel insurance. If it is minimal you may wish to take out extracover on these items - which also covers winter sports. Travelinsurance can be obtained from your travel agent.Please Note: Insurance for your ski holiday cannot bearranged at the ski village.

SecurityRegrettably, there are professional gangs of thieves operating inmany areas of Europe. Your most important possessions suchas passport, money and camera, should be carefully guarded atall times. The best way to do this is to carry some form ofmoney belt or shoulder holster, rather than a wallet or a purse.Always keep a copy of your passport details and extrapassport photos, your insurance policy, used and unusedtravellers cheque numbers and credit card numbers separatefrom the originals. You can also store important details in yourContiki ekit Travel Vault. You can then access them over theweb or the phone if you ever need them. Under nocircumstances can Contiki be held responsible for the safe-keeping of your money and valuables.

Visas (please read carefully)Depending on your nationality, you may require visas to entercertain countries included in your tour. You are fullyresponsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to thedeparture of your tour. Contiki are not legally permitted toknowingly allow anybody who does not have a valid visa tojoin a tour. Consult your travel agent to determine which visasyou require and how to obtain them.

Schengen VisasThe majority of our tours travel in countries that are coveredby the Schengen Agreement which relates to visas. Citizensof many countries – eg. Australia, United States, Canada,New Zealand – can travel in the Schengen area without avisa. If you require a visa to enter the Schengen area you onlyneed to obtain one visa which will allow you to travel in allSchengen countries.

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Before you goMultiple Entry Schengen VisasSchengen visas can be issued for single entry or multipleentries. If your tour travels outside of the Schengen area atany point you will require a multiple entry visa. The tour thatrequires multiple entry Schengen visa is listed below:Spanish Spree.

Visas for Non-Schengen CountriesSome of our tours also visit countries that are not covered bythe Schengen Agreement. You may require visas for countriesincluding the United Kingdom, Ireland, Egypt. Depending onyour nationality it may be possible to obtain visas for Egyptupon arrival – you should check before you depart for your tour.

HealthIf you suffer from any form of illness, be sure to have an adequatesupply of medicines or necessary prescriptions (this includeseyeglasses) before departing on tour. You must advise us of anyimportant medical condition you may have, before departure.

VaccinationsNo innoculations are compulsory at present for entry intoEuropean countries. However, regulations may change, so it iswise to consult your travel agent or doctor before travelling. InLondon, vaccinations are obtainable from:British Airways Travel Clinic, 213 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HQ. Tel: 0845-600-2236 (from the U.K). Open: Mon-Fri 9.30 - 18.00 Sat 10.00 - 17.00.NB: We do suggest that you are up to date with tetanus and poliovaccinations prior to commencing your holiday.

Money mattersWith all our modern day technology, there are so many differentforms of money to tempt us. Nothing is more frustrating thanfinding that perfect souvenir only to find that you don’t have theright type of currency to purchase it. From cash to credit cards,what is best in Europe? The following advice should help alleviatemany of your worries.NB: See page 36-38 for advice on how much money to bring.

Currency / Credit cardsAccess to money whilst on your tour is very important. We highlyrecommend that you carry your currency in a number of differentways so that you have access to money at all times.It is always advisable to start your tour with some cash in localcurrencies such as Euro, Swiss Franc or Great British Pounds.Beyond that cash there are a number of options:• Access cash from your own bank account via a debit card –having a card with either the Visa or Maestro logos on it will meanyou have access at a large number of cash machines.• Purchase a pre-paid debit card via a company such asTravelex which allows you to load money onto the card which

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Before you goCurrency / Credit cards cont’d:can be withdrawn while you are overseas. You may even beable to buy your card in Euro which means you know exactlyhow much you’re spending in advance. • Credit cards – use your credit cards from home to reducethe amount of cash you need to carry. Most restaurant, shops,museums, sights, etc. in Europe will accept payment bycredit card.• Almost all cash machines in Europe require a pin number to beentered when using them – ensure your debit cards, pre-paidcards and credit cards have a pin number connected to them.Note: Contiki optional excursions can NOT be paid for by credit card.

Making phone callsWe’ve spent some time researching the market and spoken toour clients to find out exactly what your communication needsare while you’re on a Contiki tour. As a result we think we’vecome up with a fantastic service to meet your requirements,the Contiki Global Phonecard, powered by ekit.How do you get a Contiki Global Phonecard?1. In your Contiki travel documentation2. At your pre-departure meeting (London only)3. At www.contiki.ekit.com - you can join and charge your cardeasily over the web4. Via 24-hour Customer Service - call the access number ofthe country you are in (these are listed on your card or go towww.contiki.ekit.com) and press 0 #. For example, in the UKfree phone 0800 032 6297, then press 0#.Your Contiki Global Phonecard is more than just aphonecard. It has heaps of great value features:• A Free 5 minute call home pre loaded and ready to go!• Low Cost International and Long Distance Calls: Save upto 70% when using payphones and hotel phones calling fromover 150 countries.• Messaging: Friends and family can leave you voicemailmessages for FREE - no matter where you are. You can thenretrieve your messages over the phone or on the web. SendSMS (text messages) from the web to any mobile phoneworldwide - check it out at www.contiki.ekit.com.• Email: a free email address, where you can pick up yourvoice messages and emails.• 24 x 7 Customer Service: Our multilingual team provideFREE assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days ayear. Call the free phone Access Number for the country youare in and press 0 # to speak with a Consultant.One of the best things about the Contiki Global Phonecard isthat it is RECHARGEABLE!No more buying phonecards in every country you visit or usingcards that have instructions in languages you can’t read!Always go to www.contiki.ekit.com for all the latest AccessNumbers and calling tips. Remember if you dial an ekit AccessNumber and get a recorded message you can still make yourcall - it’s just telling you that there is a new number with evenbetter rates - so use it next time you call.

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Before you goThe Contiki mobileDo you want the convenience of a mobile (cell) phone? The Contiki mobile, powered by ekit, allows you to save 70% on international roaming rates. If you have a tri-band (GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz) handset, you can buy a Contiki SIMcard for only US$9. All SIM's come with $10 call credit alreadyloaded. If you do not have an unlocked handset, you can buy ahandset and SIM package for only US$39! Check outwww.contiki.ekit.com for more information. The Contiki mobilehas some great features including• Saving you 70% on international roaming rates• Free to receive calls in the France, Italy, Spain and the UK• Send text messages from only US$0.49• Free 24/7 customer service in over 50 countries• Frequent users receive 50% bonus calling timeCheck out www.contiki.ekit.com for more information.

Flying hintsEnsure you carry all your travel documentation in your handluggage, plus your camera, toiletries, paperbacks, etc.Make sure you take advantage of Duty-Free shopping butcheck the current Duty-Free limits that apply in the country ofyour destination. Don’t carry items packed by others and neveraccept packages or articles to carry from people not known toyou. The longer flights to Europe can be made a little moreenjoyable by wearing loose clothing and comfortable shoes, aswell as walking the aisles regularly, eating sensibly and drinkingplenty of fluids (preferably not alcoholic). Try to get some sleepand, upon arrival, adjust immediately into local time by waitinguntil evening before sleeping - this should relieve the effectsof jet-lag.

Checklist• Have you labelled your suitcase inside and out?• Have you all the necessary medication you will need?• Do you have your airline tickets, passport, travellers cheques,

insurance policy, credit cards, visas, cash, Contiki’s ‘Ticket toRide’ in your hand luggage? You can also store theseimportant details in your Contiki ekit Travel Vault. You can thenaccess them over the web or the phone if you ever need them.

• Have you made a photocopy of your passport?• Do you have your driving licence and vaccination certificate

with you?• Do you have your camera, and spare memory cards?• Have you remembered your Rechargeable Phone Card?

(Contiki ekit card is supplied in your tour documents or can beobtained from the Contiki ‘Basement’ in London).

NB: You’ll need your Contiki ‘Ticket to Ride’ to board theContiki coach on the morning of departure. Keep yourpassport on your person.

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Contiki London sceneGetting into LondonFrom London Heathrow airportBy Underground: Catch the Piccadilly Line from LondonHeathrow Airport directly to Russell Square Station, a fewminutes walk from the Royal National Hotel & Imperial Hotel.Cost £4.00 single. Prices are guideline only and are subjectto change.Heathrow express train: This express train runs from LondonHeathrow Airport to Paddington Station and departs every 15minutes from 05:10 to 23:30, 7 days a week. A taxi from there tothe Contiki Basement, the Royal National Hotel and Imperial Hotelwill be about £10. Cost £14.50 single. Prices are guideline onlyand are subject to change.From London Gatwick airportBy train: Catch the train from Gatwick Airport to Victoria Stationfrom 01:05 to 23:48, 7 days a week and takes approximately 45minutes. Timetable available at the station in the airport. Single:£9.00. Prices are guideline only and are subject to change.Gatwick express train: This express train runs from LondonGatwick Airport to Victoria Station from 05:20 to 01:35, 7 days aweek and takes approximately 30 minutes. Timetable available atthe station at the airport. Single: £14. Prices are guideline onlyand are subject to change.A taxi from Victoria station to the Contiki Basement, the RoyalNational Hotel and the Imperial Hotel will be about £15.Alternatively, take the London Underground Victoria Line fromVictoria station to Green Park, change to the Piccadilly Line andgo straight to Russell Square, which is a few minutes walk fromthe Contiki Basement, Royal National Hotel and the Imperial Hotel.

Contiki’s London hotels (see map)Royal National Hotel (2 Stars), Bedford Way (enter from WoburnPlace), London WC1H 0DG ReceptionTelephone: +44 20 7637 2488We offer discounted rates for Contiki clients and theaccommodation is based on twin and triple share only.This is also the departure point for all Contiki tours that start inLondon (except the London & Paris tours), and the ContikiBasement is located on the lower ground floor of the South Wingof the Hotel.

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Contiki London scene

Imperial Hotel (3 stars), Russell Square, London WC1B 5BBTelephone Reception: +44 20 7837 3655We offer discounted rates for Contiki clients andaccommodation is based on single and twin share only.

Both hotels are within a few minutes from Russell SquareUnderground Station. All rooms have colour TV with tea &coffee making facilities. There is a wide range of restaurants,cafes, bars, pubs and coffee shops either in the hotels or inthe area. The Royal National Hotel and the Imperial Hotel arelocated near London’s West End, close to the BritishMuseum, Oxford Street for shopping and Covent Garden andLeicester Square for nightlife.

NB: CHECK-IN AT THESE HOTELS (AS WITH THEMAJORITY OF HOTELS IN LONDON), IS 14:00 ANDCHECK-OUT IS 11:00.

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Contiki London sceneThe Contiki Basement in LondonRoyal National Hotel, Bedford WayLondon, WC1H 0DGTel: 020-7637-0802 Fax: 020-7637-2121email:basement.rep@contiki.co.uk

The Contiki Basement is located at the Royal National Hotelalong Bedford Way, with access to the Basement from thestreet only, and not from the hotel.

The Basement is open 7 days a week as follows: 01 October – 30 May 11:00 – 19:0001 April - 30 April 11:00 - 20:0001 May – 30 September 09:00 – 20:00Meet your fellow tour members here, chill out and catch upwith new and old friends, and seek advice and a friendly smilefrom our helpful, knowledgeable Contiki Representatives.They will also give you information on your pre-departuremeetings, departure times, tour arrival times, travel tips andgeneral London information to make your stay in this excitingcity more enjoyable.On arrival, collect your "Welcome to London Pack", and takeadvantage of our wide range of facilities available at the Contiki Basement:Hotel check-in: If you are staying at the Royal National Hotel,come directly to the Contiki Basement to check-in to the hotel.If you are staying at the Imperial Hotel, you can go directly tothe Imperial Hotel to check-in.Internet café: Use our internet café (at cost) to let your friendsand family know you have arrived safely in London, or emailafter your tour with all your adventure stories.Chill out area: Our wide-screen TV is tuned into MTV andappropriate international sports games, for you to relax to.Luggage storage: If you want to head out and discover theenergy of London, store your luggage with us until you want tocheck into your hotel after 2pm, for £1 per bag for the day. Ifyou have done a lot of shopping, or have luggage over 20kg(44 pounds), you can store your things at the Basement for theduration of your tour for £5 per bag per week.Shipping: Bought lots of fantastic souvenirs on your Contikitour and need to get them home or simply have too muchluggage and need to get it home? We can arrange to have itshipped home for you.Mail pickup point: You can have letters and parcels sent to theContiki Basement, which you can pick up when you arrive. Ouraddress is: Contiki Basement, Royal National Hotel, BedfordWay, London WC1H 0DG England.Please be sure to have your name clearly on the mail, with thedate you are due to arrive, and if possible a booking referencenumber, to avoid confusion.

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Contiki London sceneDiscounted sightseeing tickets: You can purchase ticketsfor London’s famous attractions: • Madam Tussauds • London Dungeons • Original Bus Tour & many more.Day sightseeing trips out of London: Through Evan andEvans, we can offer you day trips to Bath, Stonehenge,Windsor, Hampton Court, Salisbury, the Cotswolds, Althorp,Warwick Castle, Canterbury, Leeds Castle and many more.Please ask for more information.Tour bookings: If you are interested in making the most oftour discounts, or are curious about which tour you want todo next, please see us for all the information, and we canbook your tour for you on the spot!Contiki merchandise: We sell sleeping bags and Contikitowels at the Basement, so no need to bring them fromhome. You can also pick up an inflatable neck pillow to takeon tour.Postcard sales: Write all your postcards on your arrival toensure the postcard arrives home before you do.Luggage scales: Come in any time during opening hours tocheck that your luggage is no heavier than 20 kg (44 pounds),as this rule is strictly adhered to.London Pre-Departure meetings: It is stronglyrecommended that you attend these meetings. You can meetyour Tour Manager, Tour Driver and your fellow travellers,as well as complete the necessary paperwork. Bring yourpassport, travel insurance details & ‘Tickets to Ride’ voucherbooklet with you. The Contiki Basement will not be openbefore the coaches depart in the morning, so please see theReps for all your requirements the day or evening beforeduring opening hours.

London

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Contiki London scene01 October – 30 April: All pre departure meetings will be heldin the Contiki Basement at 18:00.

Morning of departure: All tours (except the London & Paristours) depart from the courtyard of the Royal National Hotel.Please meet in the London Coffee, which is situated in thecourtyard, to have your luggage weighed and be directed toyour Tour Manager by the Contiki Representative. If you missyour tour, please report to the Contiki Basement so we can helpyou to catch up with your tour.

01 October to 31 March: All winter tours meet at 06:45 for a07:30 departure. (except ski tours).

Arrival of tours in London: Most tours arrive in London anytime between 16:00 and 20:00, depending on weather, traffic,and other external factors out of our control.

Useful informationOpening & closing hours:Shops: Monday-Sunday 9.00am-5.30pm. Times may vary locally.

Banks: Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.30pm. Several banks are alsoopen on Saturday mornings.

Main Post Offices: Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.30pm. Saturday 9.00am-1.00pm

London

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Contiki London sceneUseful information cont’d:Telephones:ekit UK access number: 0800 032 6297or 020 7943 2772*

ekit hints on calling in the UK:• When dialling on a pulse phone, after you dial the accessnumber hold down the star key (*) key for two seconds torevert the phone from pulse to touch-tone.

• When calling an economy Access Number * (e.g. London0207 943 2772) you will be charged a per-minute rate formaking the local call by the UK telephone company.The Contiki Global Phonecard per-minute rate will be cheaperwhen economy numbers are dialled.

Phone boxes are usually red, green or black in colour.Most take a variety of coins or telephone cards which maybe bought from the Client Information Centre, Post Officesand most newsagents displaying the green ‘Phonecard’ sign.

Tipping: 10% is usual in restaurants, unless a 12.5% servicecharge has been added.

Late Night Money Exchange: Thomas Cook, Victoria Station:Mon-Sat: 7am - 11pm, Sunday: 7am - 8pm

Travelex, Royal National Hotel, Ground Floor. Open 7 days8.00am-8.30pm. (closed Christmas Day to New Years Day).

Post Office - International Telephone Exchange:Telephone Exchange, Global Talk, 68 Marchmont Street,London, WC1 1AB

Pubs: The pub is a British way of life and there are manydifferent types in London. Opening hours: 11.00am-11.00pmin the central London area.

London taxi

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Contiki London sceneTravellers’ tips:• It is better to cash travellers cheques in a bank. Hotels &

Bureaux de Change rates are poor and commissionfees high.

• Be careful about local guides wanting to show you thesights of London and ensure that they are recommendedby an agency or the Tourist Board.

• Check the price of telephone calls from hotels beforemaking them - use your Contiki ekit Phonecard.

• Beware of people offering to take your photo or asking formoney no matter what the reason.

• Never leave your baggage unattended.

Useful London addresses & telephone numbersTourist Information:

Dial Leisureline for the day’s events: 0891-505-440

Tourist Boards:

British Tourist Authority and London Tourist BoardVictoria Station, London SW1. Tel: 020-8846-9000

Wales Tourist Board34 Piccadilly, London W1V 9PB. Tel: 020-7808 3838

Scottish Tourist Board17-19 Cockspur Street, London SW1. Tel: 020-7930-8661

Irish Tourist BoardIreland House, 150 New Bond Street, London W1. Tel: 020-7493-3201

Consulates and EmbassiesNew Zealand AustraliaOffice of the High Office of the High Commissioner CommissionerNew Zealand House Australia House80 Haymarket StrandLondon SW1 4QT London WC2 4LATel: 020-7930-8422 Tel: 020-7379-4334

Canada United StatesOffice of the High Commissioner Grosvenor Square38 Grosvenor Square London W1A 1AELondon W1X 0AA Tel: 020-7499-9000Tel: 020-7258 6600

South Africa High CommissionTrafalgar SquareLondon WC2N 5DPTel: 020-7451-7299

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Contiki London sceneUseful telephone numbersAirlines Confirmation Numbers

Air Canada 0871 220 111

Air New Zealand 0800 028 4149

British Airways 08708 509 850

British Midlands 08706 070 555

Cathay Pacific 0208 834 8888

Malaysian Airlines 08706 079 090

Qantas 08705 726 827

Saudi Arabian Airlines 0207 798 9868

Singapore Airlines 0844 800 2380

United Airlines 08458 444 777

Virgin Atlantic 0870 80 2007

London transport informationLondon Underground 0207 222 1234

National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50

National Express Coaches 08705 808 080

London area airportsHeathrow 0870 000 0123

Gatwick 0870 000 2468

Stansted 0870 000 0303

Luton 0158 240 5100

London City 0207 646 0088

Getting aroundIf you are staying in London for more than a few days it isadvisable to buy an ‘A-Z of London’ which gives detailedmaps of all London’s streets, etc.

Underground: By far the quickest and easiest way to getaround the capital is by Underground. There are over 250stations, easily recognisable by an illuminated symbol.Underground trains run every few minutes between 5.30amand midnight every weekday and Saturday and between7.00am and 11.30pm on Sundays. Single and/or returntickets are available from the ticket machines. Keep yourticket safe - you must surrender it at your destination.Travel Cards may be bought after 9.30am weekdays or at anytime on weekends. These give you unlimited travel on busesand tubes for one day and save you money. For moreinformation, ask for a leaflet at Underground Stations ortelephone +44 20-7222-1234.

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Departures - tour & skiTour departuresLondon Departures from:

The Royal National Hotel, Bedford Way, London WC1 HODGTelephone: +44 20-7637-2488

Contiki’s Reception: +44 20-7637-0802Fax: +44 20-7637-2121

Tour departure times:Great Britain:Report: 6.45am Depart: 7.30am.

European Tours - Time Out (Superior):Report: 6.45am Depart: 7.30am

Please ensure you allow enough time to reach the RoyalNational Hotel as all bags will be weighed before beingloaded on to the coach. Be very wary of early Sundaydepartures as the underground does not start until 7.00am.

Clients staying at the Imperial Hotel must wait outside thehotel on Southampton Row at 6.30am to be collected andtransferred to the Royal National Hotel.

Rome, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid & Cairo Departures:Please refer to your voucher and/or itinerary for your tourmeeting time and location.

Ski holidaysDeparture/return times

The coach departs on Friday from the Royal National Hotel,Bedford Way, London WC1. Tel: +44 20-7637-2488 at 7.00pm.It arrives into Hopfgarten approximately 3.00pm the followingday and returns on Saturday at around 11.00pm.Please note the last trains from Russell Square:Southbound is at approximately 00.15amNorthbound is at approximately 00.43am

En-route to Hopfgarten

In order to give you the most time for you to ski, we drivestraight to the ski village. The drive is mostly on motorwayswith ample restaurants and coffee bar facilities en route.In view of the fact that part of the journey is in the early hoursof the morning, you might like to bring a small inflatablepillow with you. In addition, we suggest you bring along asnack for the journey.

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Departure - tour & skiSki holidays by airMunich airport (Munchen flughaven) to Hopfgarten Berglift.• When you have landed make your way to: Zentrum Bereich- Central Area.• Purchase your ticket at the Train Counter direct toHopfgarten Berglift.• Catch the S-Bahn (Subway) to Munchen Ost – journeytakes approximately 15mins.• At Munchen Ost change platforms (usually to the platformdirectly opposite).• Wait for the fast train which comes approximately every40 minutes.• Catch train from Munchen Ost direct to Wörgl -approximately 1hr 20min journey.• Change at Wörgl and catch a train from Wörgl toHopfgarten Berglift - approximately 12 min journey.• These trains go every hour, however it is difficult to get atrain after 10pm at night.• Please be aware that the station to disembark at isHopfgarten Berglift and not Hopfgarten (there are two stopsin Hopfgarten).• From Hopfgarten Berglift you can phone Haus Schöneck toarrange for someone to come and collect you.• An alternative is a taxi from Wörgl straight to HausSchöneck - approximately 25 Euro for the taxi.Innsbruck airport (flughaven) to Hopfgarten Berglift• Innsbruck is the easiest and quickest place to fly in to.• From airport take Shuttle Bus to central Train Station (Bahnhof).• Shuttle buses depart every 15 minutes.• Catch train from Innsbruck to Wörgl train station –approximately 40mins journey.• Trains leave every 45 minutes. Make sure you catch the fasttrain and not the regional train that stops at every stop.• Change at Wörgl and catch train from Wörgl to HopfgartenBerglift - approximately 12 min journey.• These trains go every hour, however it is difficult to get atrain after 10pm at night.• Please be aware that the station to disembark at isHopfgarten Berglift and not Hopfgarten (there are two stops in Hopfgarten).• From Hopfgarten Berglift you can phone Haus Schöneck toarrange for someone to come and collect you.• An alternative is a taxi from Wörgl straight to HausSchöneck - approximately 25 Euro for the taxi.

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Departures - tour & skiSalzburg airport (flughaven) to Hopfgarten Berglift.• From airport take shuttle bus to central train station (Bahnhof).• Shuttle buses depart every 15 minutes.• Catch train from Salzburg train station to Wörgl train station– approximately 1.5 hour journey.• Trains leave every hour – make sure you catch the fast trainand not the one that stops at every station.• Change at Wörgl and catch train from Wörgl to HopfgartenBerglift - approximately 12 min journey.• These trains go every hour, however it is difficult to get atrain after 10pm at night.• Please be aware that the station to disembark at isHopfgarten Berglift and not Hopfgarten (there are two stops in Hopfgarten).• From Hopfgarten Berglift you can phone Haus Schöneck toarrange for someone to come and collect you.• An alternative is a taxi from Wörgl straight to HausSchöneck - approximately 25 Euro for the taxi.

If you miss the coachTours starting in LondonShould you miss the coach, please contact the ContikiRepresentative immediately at the Contiki Basement at theRoyal National Hotel on +44 207 637 0802. They will give youspecific details on how to join your tour.

Tours starting in Rome, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, or CairoPlease contact the Contiki Agents on the telephone numberslisted in your itinerary.

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Touring - the factsThe Contiki teamTour Managers: He or she has been thoroughly trained byContiki throughout Europe and/or Great Britain. The role ofyour Tour Manager is to ensure that you have the trip of alifetime. They organise everything on tour, fromaccommodation and sightseeing to optional excursions.They also complete all the ‘behind the scenes’ work ofpre-booking, border and customs procedures to make yourtour hassle-free.

In some circumstances, it may be necessary for your TourManager to make decisions on behalf of the group as awhole. In such cases, we ask for your co-operation, bearingin mind the variety of personalities and expectations onboard the coach. We try to get the right balance ofsightseeing and free time. Whatever you want from yourholiday, your Tour Manager aims to provide it for you.

Drivers: With their experience you are in good hands.The Driver is responsible for the coach and we ask you toremember that they have to keep it clean for everyone’scomfort. Please adhere to the suggestions made to you atthe beginning of your tour regarding waste paper, eating anddrinking whilst on board the coach. The Driver and TourManager work as a team. You may often see them togetherplanning your days, to offer you great variety and choice.

AccommodationWhere you stay: We have chosen a wide range ofaccommodation in order for you to best appreciate whatEurope has to offer. From a magnificent 4-star Plus Resort inVienna to a traditional Château in France. Our special FeatureHotels have been chosen for their particular character,charm, location and style. Hotels on other evenings are greattoo - they’re tourist class and have excellent facilities.

Please bear in mind that the diversity and cultural differencesseen almost every day in Europe can also be seen where youstay. While some clients prefer the older style hotels, othersenjoy a more modern design and our accommodation listoffers a good balance of each style to suit everyone’s tastes.

It is always difficult not to compare European hotels with thesimilar category of hotel at home or on another continentwhere you have travelled. Generally speaking, Europeanhotels are of a slightly lower standard than their equivalentcategory in North America, Australasia or South Africa andthey tend not to have the modern amenities such as air-conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, etc.

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Touring - the facts

Accommodation (cont’d)Please note: All contracts for your accommodation arenegotiated by Contiki many months in advance. There maybe times when hotels will provide alternative accommodationto that advertised in the brochure. Such situations arebeyond Contiki’s control and we will do our utmost tominimise any inconvenience.

Your room: Rooms are booked on a twin-share, triple-shareor single basis with private facilities consisting of either abath or shower, with a few exceptions. It is worth pointing outthat room sizes in European hotels are often much smallerthan in non-European countries.

Twin-bedded or double rooms: If you prefer a double bed,please speak to your Tour Manager however these cannotbe guaranteed.

Triple rooms: Rooms with three beds are normally slightly larger.

Single rooms: They are often small, but give the privacy ofsingle occupancy.

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Touring - the factsAccommodation cont’d:Reception: Most hotels have English-speaking staff at

reception. Any needs you have should be directed through

them, for example if the towels need changing or a light

requires fixing. Generally, you will find the staff helpful and

friendly, especially in the more traditional older style hotels.

However, staff tend to be as pleasant with you as you are

with them.

Hotel notice board: Your Tour Manager will place an

information sheet or ‘Day Sheet’ at each hotel confirming details

of the programme. Please check the notice board regularly.

Porterage: We find that young people on holiday can easily

carry their own reasonably-sized suitcases which means there is

no endless waiting, in your room, for the porters to arrive with

the luggage. Hence porterage is not included in hotels.

Telephones: Most hotels have direct-dial facilities and should

you telephone home, we ask you to settle your bill the night

before departure at reception. Remember that hotel phone

bills can be very expensive, we recommend you use your

Contiki ekit Phonecard to make your phone calls home using

the toll-free access numbers, which will be cheaper.

Check with your Tour Manager to find out if the hotel allows

0800 numbers to be dialled. Remember - even if the hotel

does not allow access to 0800 numbers, you can still dial

one of the local rate numbers listed at www.contiki.ekit.com.

Alternatively, most cities have international phone centres,

which your Tour Manager will gladly point out for you.

Laundry: Laundry facilities are available at some hotels.

However, the service normally takes one full day and is not

normally available during weekends. It is, therefore, only

possible to arrange laundry on two-night stops. Please note it

can be expensive and in some cities your Tour Manager may

be able to suggest alternatives.

Security: We strongly recommend you use the hotel security

boxes where available. Please remember that you will need

to keep your passport with you if you intend to cash

travellers cheques during the day. And don’t forget to collect

all items from your security box before you leave the hotel!

Remember to keep your valuables and passport with you

at all times.

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Touring - the factsAccommodation cont’d:Room service: The hotels we use do not provide room

service; this is normally only available in 5-star hotels.

Check-in and departure: Check-in varies from hotel to hotel

and your Tour Manager will advise you of the procedure at each

hotel. Hotel departures are very straightforward but once again

please follow your Tour Manager’s lead and always remember

to: Check your room carefully before you leave, return your key

to reception and pay all your incidental charges

Meals: Breakfast is always continental style; rolls, butter, jams,

tea or coffee. Sometimes in northern European countries an

egg or possibly some cheese is added. This will certainly seem

different to home and somewhat repetitive if you are used to a

cooked breakfast. However, this is normal in Europe, especially

in the more southern, hotter countries. Dinner is Table d’Hôte

style. Generally this is a three-course meal with the main dish

of meat or fish. Should you have any special diet requests,

e.g. vegetarian, your Tour Manager will try to organise an

alternative menu. Remember that drinks are not included,

but the waiters can help you choose soft drinks, local wines or

tea and coffee. A reasonable standard of dress is expected at

all restaurants and we therefore request that no sports shorts

or singlets be worn at evening meals.

Rome

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Skiing - the facts

Hopfgarten informationContiki’s accommodation in Hopfgarten:

Gasthof Schöneck, A-6361 Hopfgarten, Nord Tyrol

Austria. Telephone: +43-5335-2563

Gasthof Schöneck facilities: Gasthof Schöneck offers

internet facilities, laundry service, sauna and a

lively bar.

NB. Please remember to bring a towel if you are staying at

Gasthof Schöneck.

MealsSki holidays in Hopfgarten are on a bed and breakfast basis.

For real value for money consider taking the half board option

which entitles you to 5 three-course evening meals at a

fraction of the cost of equivalent meals in town. You will still

have 2 free nights per week stay to sample the many

Gasthofs in the village.

If you choose to stay on a bed and breakfast basis you

should allow g15 for a meal and drink in town. Lunches are

not provided by Contiki. You should allow approximately g10

per day for lunch in addition to your aprés ski costs and

other spending money.

Please Note: The half board option cannot be booked in

Hopfgarten. Ensure you have made your booking with Contiki

or your travel agent before you leave home.

Gondola

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Skiing - the factsHopfgarten informationSki village facilities

Hopfgarten has all the necessary facilities to make your stay

as entertaining and enjoyable as possible. The village has a

post office, banks, supermarkets, doctors and a pharmacy.

There are many restaurants and bars.

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Skiing - the factsSki extrasIf you have not taken advantage of the Contiki ski and snowboardequipment offers available at the time of booking, you will be able topurchase a lift pass, hire equipment and book ski lessons to suityour needs when you arrive in Hopfgarten through the Contiki team,at the following approximate costs:

Please Note: Please bring your own gloves &sunglasses/goggles as they cannot be hired in Hopfgarten.It is not possible to pay for ski extras by credit card.

Please Note: i) Prices shown are approximate and may besubject to change. ii) Bigfoot, Carving and cross country skismay also be hired. Please speak to the Manager.

The Ski Welt ski pass provides access to 279 km (172 miles)of marked pistes, served by 91 lifts.

No of Cost Per Persondays in Euro

Ski Welt pass 6 days 18013 days 299

Equipment hire 6 days 47(Skis, Boots, Poles,Board, Boots) 13 days 95

Lessons Cost Per Personski & snowboard in Euro

Ski lessons:5 days x 4 hours per day (including certificate) 1163 days x 4 hours per day 109

Snowboard lessons:5 days x 2 hours per day 1163 days x 2 hours per day 95

Combined lessons:3 days x 4 hours Skiing & 1783 days x 2 hours boarding

Ski clothing hire Cost Per Person per week in Euro

HopfgartenJacket/Pants - Ski Suit 50

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Skiing - the factsOther activitiesHopfgarten not only offers downhill skiing, but a whole range ofwinter sports activities e.g. toboganning, cross-country skiing(langlauf) and walks for those who prefer the contrast of a day’srambling. There’s also the chance to take a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh by moonlight. (See “Optional ski activities andexcurions”, this page.)If you are an intermediate or advanced skier/snowboarder andwould prefer not to take group lessons, you can take advantageof private lessons or half day guided tours designed to familiariseyou with the area. Please speak to the Site Manager.

The Contiki TeamThe Site Manager and Contiki team will always be on hand tohelp you enjoy your holiday. On arrival in Hopfgarten, they willbe able to provide you with full details of après-ski activitiesand excursions.

Budgeting on your ski holidayWe recommend you take approximately g30 in cash if travellingto Hopfgarten to cover refreshment stops on the coachjourney. We would also suggest carrying some Sterling to meetyour requirements for the cross-Channel ferry. Also remember ifyou are staying in Hopfgarten on a bed and breakfast basisyou must allow money for lunch and dinners. See page 32.Please Note: Cash advances are only available in the skivillage at an ATM. You will need a pin number. Credit Cardscannot be used in the village.

Optional ski activities and excursionsYou’ll find a whole range of optional activities and excursionsavailable. We call them ‘optional’ because it is up to youwhether you join in or not. To help you budget your holiday,we have listed some of the optional activities and excursionsavailable below.Sleigh Ride: Cost approximately g22: A romantic eveningaboard a ‘two horse open sleigh’. Through mountainousforests, we stop in a cosy Gasthof to warm up to the tunes ofa local musician before our return journey to Hopfgarten.Tandem Paragliding: Cost approximately g110: Experiencethe thrill and beauty of paragliding through the crisp mountainair from the top of the Hohe Solve mountain to the Hopfgartenvalley below. You’ll be accompanied by a qualified pilot whoknows ‘the ropes’. An experience you’ll never forget.Ice-skating & dinner: Cost approximately g23: Why not tryiceskating on a frozen alpine lake? Finish the evening with atypical Tirolean meal. Please Note: It is not possible to pay for optional excursionsby credit card.

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General touring infoWinter departuresOn winter departures, please bear in mind the inconsistency ofEuropean weather and the shorter daylight hours. For thesereasons it may be necessary to make earlier starts and it maynot be possible to offer all our Optional Excursions. Also thewinter months can be used by some public works departmentsto decorate, renovate or renew exhibitions and therefore somepublic buildings could be closed. You will, however, have theadvantage of much less crowded museums, buildings andrestaurants, etc.

Weekends & public holidaysIt is unavoidable to have a touring programme that is not incertain cities on weekends, public holidays or days of closurefor public buildings, shops & museums. We regret you may misscertain opportunities but these are kept to a minimum.

Please see the country info in the back of this booklet forfurther information.

TransportYour coach: Throughout Europe we use a fleet of modern, air-conditioned European and British coaches, the ultimate incomfort, safety and reliability with contoured seats, panoramictinted windows and built-in stereo sound system.For the duration of your tour the coach is like a home. Careshould be taken to maintain its cleanliness. We do not regimentour clients and no system for seat rotation is arranged. However,out of consideration to others, window seats should not bemonopolised. This also permits everybody to mix rather thanstay in isolated groups. To make the most of your days wesometimes make an early start.There are times when your driver has the day or evening off dueto laws established by the European Union (EU). There will be afew occasions, therefore, when transportation will be at yourown expense.A number of our coaches are fitted with toilets. Please be awarethat due to the very limited disposal facilities in Europe, these arefor emergency use only. Frequent comfort stops are provided.Smoking: Smoking is not permitted on the coach, but frequentstops are made when travelling.Music: All our coaches are fitted with CD players. However, oursupply of CDs is not inexhaustible and passengers are invited tobring along their favourites or their MP3 player.

BudgetingHow much money should I bring?: This is a difficult subject togive advice on because the amount varies from person toperson and a lot depends on how much you spend on shopping(there’s plenty to tempt you in Europe!), entertainment, drinks,optional excursions and entry fees to museums, etc.

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General touring infoBudgeting cont’d:If possible, bring more money than you intend to spend, andthen if you see something you really can’t resist you won’t bedisappointed - don’t forget your credit card.On the following pages, we’ve tried to give you some idea of theexpenses you’re likely to incur.Entrance fees/free time: In every city you visit there will be agood mix of organised sightseeing plus time to explore the cityon your own. Everyone has a different idea of what they want tosee and do in their free time - visiting museums and galleries,shopping, coffee in an outdoor café or just walking the streets tofeel the atmosphere of the city.In our experience we have found that you should budgetapproximately £30/m45 per day for incidental expenses.This does not include major shopping items.Your meals: Your tour cost includes breakfast and dinner mostdays, as specified on your itinerary. When dinner is not included,you’ll have the opportunity to sample the local cuisine and befree to do your own thing or choose one of the optional mealsorganised by your Tour Manager. Lunch is not included exceptwhere specified on our itinerary, as most people have their ownidea of how much and what they eat in the middle of the day. Asa general guide, allow approximately £7/m10 per day for lunches.Optional meals & excursions: A Contiki holiday is all aboutexciting ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences. Your holiday costincludes many visits and meals as listed in the brochure for yourspecific tour. In addition, as everyone has their own idea of howthey want to spend their free time, we also have a range ofoptional visits, activities and local meals available throughoutyour tour. We call them ‘optional’ because it is entirely up to youwhether you join in or not - there is no pressure on you to do so.The style of eating varies from country to country and part of thefun of travelling abroad is to be able to sample a whole range ofculinary specialities. From experience, we have not plannedmeals in restaurants in some cities as we feel it is better for youto explore and find your own venue by yourself or with a fewfriends. Yet, in other places, and particularly in peak season, itcan be difficult to find a good meal at a fair price and we haveorganised to eat as a group and sample the local cuisine at areasonable cost. Our Optional Meals and Excursions give youthe chance to get the most from your trip with plenty ofopportunities to see typical shows, sample the local food or justwander at your leisure.All excursions can be booked through your Tour Manager and tohelp you plan your budget, our list of Optional Excursions andMeals available is shown on our website and in your touritinerary sent to you with your travel documents.For any optional trips that you choose, your Tour Manager willmake firm bookings in advance and you will be liable for thecost of all excursions you have booked, a minimum of

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General touring infoBudgeting cont’d:48hrs cancellation notice is required - please allowapproximately £10/m15 per day for Optional Excursions and£20-£25/m30-40 per Optional Meal.

These optionals are available via third party suppliers. Contikidoes not own nor operate any of these excursions but ratherhas used its buying power to negotiate favourable rates onyour behalf with local suppliers and excursion operators.

NB: Credit cards cannot be accepted as a form ofpayment for Optional Excursions/Meals.

Summary of approximate costsHere’s a summary of the various expenses you’re likely toincur during your tour.

Expenses Approximate CostsLunches £7/m10 per mealOptional Meals £15-£20/m30 per mealFerry Crossings £7/m10 per mealOptional Excursions £10/m15 per dayIncidental Expenses £30/m45 per day

ShoppingCertain cities and countries in Europe are well known for theirlocal crafts, e.g. leatherware from Florence, cuckoo-clocksand watches from Switzerland, clogs from Holland, glassfrom Venice; the list and variety is endless.

As part of your tour, you will be given the opportunity to seedemonstrations of local craftsmen at work. Contiki selects afactory or shop for their standard of demonstration and thequality of service and product guarantee. We feel they offergood value for money and are highly responsible andestablished traders. However, we stress that you are underno obligation to purchase anything. You may find anothershop with cheaper products, others may be more expensive.Ultimately, it is your choice.

Some shops may provide a mail service, but please be awarethat it can take up to six months and sometimes longer forthe goods to arrive home and, on arrival, perhaps be liable topay customs and excise duty. We strongly recommend youobtain a copy of customs regulations before you leave homeas they vary in almost every country.

Health & hygieneLife on a Contiki tour can get quite hectic with early morningsand late nights which makes it easy for you to catch acommon cold, the flu or aggravate an existing medicalcondition. Ensure you look after yourself and eat healthy foodas much as possible.

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General touring infoHealth & hygiene cont’d:Water in some areas is undrinkable, so please take care -your Tour Manager will advise you. Bottled water is cheapand easily found throughout Europe.

If at any time you feel unwell, your Tour Manager will assistyou in contacting a doctor for consultation. Please rememberthe quality of medical services varies considerably fromcountry to country in Europe and that medications availableover the counter at home may only be obtainable onprescription in Europe.

If you are on a regular course of medicine/contraception youmust bring a supply sufficient for the whole time you areaway from home. We also suggest you bring a small supplyof antiseptic cream, Band Aids, Aspirin, insect repellent,cough mixture and perhaps a supply of antibiotics. These arenot carried on the coach and are your responsibility.

All Contiki coaches carry a sealed comprehensive First AidKit for use in a coach emergency only.

Lost propertyContiki cannot accept responsibility for property left byclients in hotels, coaches, restaurants, etc. We will, however,do our best to recover anything you might have forgotten.Please advise your Tour Manager as soon as possible.Contiki also recommend that you enter your importantdocument information into your Contiki ekit Travel Vault.This ultra-secure facility allows you to keep a record of allyour important information, eg: passport and visa details,credit card and travellers cheques numbers and loads more,plus you’ll have access to this 24-hours a day.

Rome

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General touring infoLocal customsWhile touring Europe you are a guest in each country youvisit and traditions and customs vary greatly from country tocountry. Your Tour Manager will inform you of local customsas you enter each country but here are a few examples:

In Italy you are not allowed to enter a church unless yourupper arms and legs (for both men and women) are covered.This means that shorts, mini-skirts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.

It is customary in most countries and compulsory in others topay a token amount or tip the attendant for the use of publictoilets in railway stations, motorway rest-stops, etc.

Generally, if the local people see you respecting theircustoms they are complimented and you are likely to be wellreceived by them. Remember, as an adult you will be heldliable for your actions according to the individual laws ofeach country. Meeting the people of the countries you visitwill enhance your enjoyment and increase the value of thememories you take back with you. Always remember, ‘Whenin Rome...’

NB: On our Egypt tours, please see your final itinerary forfurther useful hints.

TippingThis is becoming an increasingly accepted practice in allareas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants,bars, and taxis worldwide. Likewise on your Contiki tour, ifyou feel that your Tour Manager and Driver have done anexcellent job, then as a guide we would recommend tippingup to the equivalent of m2 per passenger per day. However,this is not compulsory. It's up to you!

Egypt tours: As we use local guides, drivers and boat crewon these tours, we would ask you to consider tipping (perperson) the following amounts (or local equivalent), subject tothe service provided being of a sufficiently high standard:

Local Tour Guide $3 per dayLocal Driver $3 per dayTrain staff $2 per journeyHotel staff/barman $1Boat Crew $3 per day (Egypt total crew)

Value added taxOn larger purchases, VAT can be reclaimed upon completionof the necessary forms and showing your purchases as youleave the country. VAT paid in European Union (EU) countriescan only be reclaimed upon your final departure from the EU.Please speak to your Tour Manager for further details.

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General touring info

Calling homeGenerally speaking, the Western European countries have anefficient system, the operators speak a reasonable level ofEnglish and telephone booths and offices are easily found.

Your Contiki Global Phonecard will save you up to 70% offhotel and payphones for international and long distancecalling - which means more money for souvenirs and bignights out.

Check your travel documents for your Contiki Phonecard orgo to www.contiki.ekit.com.

To make a call dial the Access Number from the country youare in, enter your Account Number and press #, your PIN andpress # and then 2. You then dial the country code, areacode (without the 0), and the phone number.

London

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General touring infoCalling home cont’d:All access numbers are listed on your card, or askCustomer Service; or refer to the individual destinationpages of this guidebook.Sometimes the ekit Access Number may change, to provideyou with better call rates. If you hear a recorded message,Stay On The Line To Complete Your Call or use the newnumber given. Always go to www.contiki.ekit.com for thelatest access numbers.

International telephone country codesAustralia 61 Canada 1Great Britain 44 Hong Kong 852Indonesia 6 Japan 81Malaysia 60 New Zealand 64Singapore 65 South Africa 27USA 1Your Tour Manager will gladly recommend the most efficientand convenient places to call home.

EmailThe fastest way of communicating with your family and friends.Internet cafés are plentiful in Europe and your Tour Manager willbe able to point you in the right direction starting off with theInternet café at Contiki’s London Basement.

Clothing sizesSizes vary from country to country around the world.No doubt while in Europe you will want to buy clothes,so as a guide we have listed the approximate comparativesizes. However, we do recommend before making thepurchase, you make sure you are happy that the size of thearticle you are purchasing is correct.

Shopping in Italy

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General touring infoClothing sizes cont’d:Men suits and coatsAmerican/English 36 38 40 42 44 46 48Continental 46 48 50 52 54 56 58ShirtsAmerican - English 15 151⁄2 153⁄4 16 161⁄2 17Continental 38 39 40 41 42 43Sweaters S M L XLAmerican/English 34 36-38 40-42 44Continental 44 46-48 50-52 54ShoesAmerican 71⁄2 8 81⁄2 91⁄2 10 11Continental 40 41 42 43 44 45Women dresses, coats and suitsAmerican 32 34 36 38 40English 10 12 14 16 18Continental 38 40 42 44 46Blouses and sweatersAmerican 32 34 36 38 40 42 44English 34 36 38 40 42 44 46Continental 40 42 44 46 48 50 52ShoesAmerican 5 51⁄2 61⁄2 71⁄2 81⁄2 9 91⁄2

English 31⁄2 4 5 6 7 71⁄2 8Continental 36 37 38 39 40 41 42Children’s wearAmerican 1 4 6 8 10 13 15English 1 2 5 7 9 10 12Continental 1 2 5 7 9 10 12

Temperature chartBelow you will find the average temperatures of 11 major cities in theearly afternoon. Use this information to help you choose the type ofclothes to bring with you on your Contiki tour. All temperatures areshown in centigrade.

J F M A M J J A S O N DAmsterdam 4 5 8 11 16 18 21 20 18 13 8 5Barcelona 13 14 16 18 22 25 27 28 26 22 17 14Cairo 24 26 28 31 33 34 35 35 33 31 29 25Edinburgh 6 6 8 10 13 17 18 18 16 12 8 7London 6 7 9 13 17 20 22 21 18 13 9 7Lucerne 0 3 7 12 16 20 22 21 17 11 6 2Paris 6 7 11 16 19 23 24 24 21 15 9 6Rome 12 13 17 20 23 28 31 31 28 23 17 13Vienna 1 3 8 14 19 22 24 23 19 13 7 3

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General touring infoCALENDAR 2009

MarchS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

FebruaryS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 28

JanuaryS M T W T F S

1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30 31

AprilS M T W T F S

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30

MayS M T W T F S

31 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

JuneS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 67 8 9 10 11 12 1314 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30

SeptemberS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 29 30

AugustS M T W T F S

30 31 12 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 1516 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 28 29

JulyS M T W T F S

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30 31

OctoberS M T W T F S

1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30 31

NovemberS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30

DecemberS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 29 30 31

CALENDAR 2010March

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 67 8 9 10 11 12 1314 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30 31

FebruaryS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 67 8 9 10 11 12 1314 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728

JanuaryS M T W T F S

31 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

AprilS M T W T F S

1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30

MayS M T W T F S

30 31 12 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 1516 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 28 29

JuneS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 29 30

SeptemberS M T W T F S

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30

AugustS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

JulyS M T W T F S

1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30 31

OctoberS M T W T F S

31 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

NovemberS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 67 8 9 10 11 12 1314 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30

DecemberS M T W T F S

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 1112 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30 31

MUSICAL EVENINGSAND FLORENTINE FOLKLORE

The true tradition of the most genuine Tuscan cookingSPIT - GRILL - GAME - BUFFET

Via Cassia No 1 - 50124 Galluzzo (Firenze)Tel. (055) 2048876 - 2047109 - Telex 571350 CERTOS I

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General touring infoCurrency conversion tableTo assist you when converting the excursion costs into your owncurrency, the table below gives details of approximate exchangerates (as of 16th June 2009). As exchange rates vary, thisinformation should be used as a guide only:

US$ C$ A$ NZ$ R GBPGBP 0.60 0.52 0.49 0.39 0.08 1.00SFr 1.08 0.94 0.87 0.70 0.14 1.79Egy P 5.60 4.84 4.51 3.63 0.72 9.27EURO 0.71 0.61 0.57 0.46 0.09 1.18

Useful words‘When in Rome...’ language is no barrier to foreign travel, but ithelps to know a few of the more common phrases. It’s fun to tryand the fact that you have made the effort is appreciated by thepeople of the country.

English French German Spanish ItalianGood morning Bonjour Guten Morgen Buenos dias Buongiorno

Goodbye Au revoir Auf Wiedersehen Adios Arrivederci

Please S’il vous plait Bitte Por favor Per favore

Thank you Merci Danke Schön Gracias Grazie

Yes Oui Ja Si Si

No Non Nein No No

Where is? Où est? Wo ist? Dónde ésta? Dové

The toilet les toilettes die toilette el lavabo il gabinetto

The bank la banque Die Bank Banco Banca

Post Office la Poste Die Post Correos Ufficio Postale

How much? Combien? Wieviel? Cuanto? Quanto?

The bill l’addition Die Rechnung La cuenta Il Conto

Ladies Dames Damen Enoras Donne

Gents Messieurs Herren Senores Uomini

Stamp Timbre Briefmarke Sello Francobollo

One/Two Un/Deux Eins/Zwei Uno/Due Uno/Due

Three/Four Trois/Quatre Drei/Vier Tres/Cuatro Tre/Quattro

Five/Six Cinq/Six Funf/Sechs Cinco/Seis Cinque/Sei

Seven/Eight Sept/Huit Sieben/Acht Siete/Ocho Sette/Otto

Nine/Ten Neuf/Dix Neun/Zehn Nueve/Diez Nove/Dieci

Open Ouvert Geöffnet Abierto Aperto

Closed Fermé Geschlossen Cerrado Chiuso

Hot Chaud Heiss Caliente Caldo

Cold Froid Kalt Frio Freddo

Water Eau Wasser Agua Acqua

Tea Thé Tee Té Té

Coffee Café Kaffee Café Caffé

Beer Bière Bier Cerveza Birra

Wine Vin Wein Vino Vino

Excuse me Excusez-moi Entschuldigung sie Perdón Scusi

(Sorry)

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General touring infoMailing addressesContact addresses during your tour are listed in youritinerary. Please remember that mail can be very slow in partsof Europe. Airmail letters should be posted at least 15 daysbefore arrival date of the tour and addressed as follows:‘To await arrival’, Client’s Name, Contiki Tour Name andDeparture Date, c/o Address as shown.We do not recommend sending mail to countries outsidecentral Europe as the mail service is very unreliable.

Contiki-approved european shops & factoriesCity Name of Company Main ProuctsAmsterdam Irene Hoeve Dutch clogs, cheeseFlorence Leonardo’s Leather Italian leather, fashion ware,

works handbags, silver & goldjewellery

Innsbruck Swarovski Austrian CrystalLucerne Harry’s Swiss Swiss watches,

Watch Centre Swiss army knives,souvenirs, cuckoo clocks

Paris/Grasse/Eze Fragonard French PerfumeSt. Goar Montag’s Souvenir Beersteins, German knives,

Shop Steiff bears, Birkenstocks,cuckoo clocks, souvenirs

Venice Galleria San Marco Venetian GlassVenice Il Merlettol Venetian Lace

Lace School

NB: At certain times of the year, i.e. Bank Holidays, it may notalways be possible to visit some of the shops and factorieslisted above. Your Tour Manager will keep you informed.

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Europe uncovered

The following pages aim to give you a taste of the countriesvisited by Contiki. We hope you will find this section interestingand useful, though of course it only skims the surface of whateach particular country has to offer - as you’ll soon find out!

AUSTRIACapital: ViennaCurrency: EuroPopulation: 8,190,000Area: 83,850 sq. km (32,375 sq. miles)People: Language: German is the first language but

most educated Austrians speak English,French and Italian to varying degrees.Ethnological Mix: in Tyrol areas people arealmost pure German stock; in the DanubeValley, however, they are a mixture ofGermanic, Slav & Magyar.

Climate: Warm pleasant summers with cool nights,sunny winters with snow levels high enoughfor widespread winter sports.

Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr.

Ukraine

Turkey

Switz

Sweden

Spain

Slovakia

Serbia

Montenegro

Russia

Romania

Portugal

Poland

Norway

Lithuania

Latvia

Italy

Hungary

Greece

Germany

Netherlands

France

Finland

Estonia

Egypt

Denmark

Czech Rep

CroatiaSlovenia

Bulgaria

Bosnia

Belgium

Belarus

Austria

Albania

Macedonia

Cyprus

S.Ireland

England

Scotland

Wales

N.Ireland

Adriatic Sea

Ionian Sea

Black Sea

Red Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Costa Blanca

Costa del Sol

English Channel

Irish Sea

Baltic Sea

North Sea

Atlantic Ocean

Gulf of Bothnia

UKRAINE

TURKEY

CYPRUS

SCOTLAND

ISRAELISRAEL

SWITZ

SWEDEN

SPAIN

S.IRELAND

N.IRELAND

SLOVAKIA

SERBIA

MONTENEGRO

RUSSIA

ROMANIA

PORTUGAL

POLAND

NORWAY

LITHUANIA

LATVIA

ITALY

HUNGARY

GREECE

GERMANY

NETHERLANDS

FRANCE

FINLAND

ESTONIA

ENGLANDWALES

EGYPT

DENMARK

CZECH REP

CROATIA

SLOVENIA

BULGARIA

BOSNIA

BELGIUM

BELARUS

AUSTRIA

ALBANIA

MACEDONIA

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Europe uncovered

AUSTRIA cont’d: GeographyAustria is a small country enclosed in the heart of Europe, atsome points only 40km (24 miles) across and only 560km(335 miles) long. Nevertheless Austria offers more variety thanalmost any other country in Europe - moody plains with rockyoutcroppings are crowned by castles and dense green forestsreminding one of medieval legends and fairy tales. The beautifulDanube flows for miles through the country, acres of vineyardscover the land and of course there are the Alps - some of themost breathtaking and dramatic peaks in the world.

Places of interest in ViennaCity of music: See statues of famous composers such asStrauss and Mozart in the Stadtpark and the Hofburg Gardens.See inside the historic Stadtsopera house, rebuilt since bombingin WWII.Horse and buggy tour: Go on a horse and buggy ride aroundthe city centre. It is the best place in Europe to take advantage ofthis mode of transport with liveried drivers, shining coaches andimmaculate gleaming horses.Vienna coffee: Try an array of coffee blends available andperhaps splurge on a traditional Austrian apple strudel or a sliceof the Viennese cake, Sacher Torte.

Old Vienna Schnapsmuseum

An attractive and rewarding short stop.

Since 1875 the Fischer-Family has been producing Schnapsand Liquer including their famous “Schönbrunner-Goldlikör”containing 23 carat gold leaf. Since that time nothing haschanged, neither the interior of the house, nor the way ofproduction. Come and see the Fischer-Family, experience awarm welcome and enjoy a sampling of their products.

Internet: www.schnapsmuseum.come-mail: office@schnapsmuseum.com

4 generationsunder one roof!

Near Schönbrunn Castle

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Europe uncoveredAUSTRIA cont’d:Kartnerstrasse: Shop for high quality items in the city’s majorpedestrian shopping street. Mozart ball chocolates are a must!Hofburg Palace: Explore the former apartments of theHapsburg family in their Winter Palace; stately in design andopulent in decoration.Schatzkammer (Palace Treasury): Visit the home of thecrown jewels of the Hapsburg Dynasty, and see royal robesand artifacts formerly belonging to the Royal Family.Closed Tuesdays.

Manners and customsAustrians tend to be fairly formal in both their social andbusiness dealings. One should shake hands when greeting orsaying goodbye. It is considered impolite to leave a restaurantor shop without saying ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ - Goodbye. Foodspecialities include Wiener Schnitzel and Knodel (dumplings).Tipping is not high, but widespread. On restaurant bills, 10-15% is added and it is usual to leave only the small change.

Best buysLocal handicrafts, Dirndls, embroidered blouses and lederhosen (leather pants), woodcarvings, dried flower pictures,Viennese petit point, winter sports equipment, crystal glasswareand schnapps.ekit access number: 0800 677 664ekit hints on calling in Austria: To get a dial tone or make callsyou might need to deposit some coins, a local phonecard orswipe your credit card.ekit economy number (Vienna 01-253-084-0529) provides lowerekit rates but may incur local call charges.

CZECH REPUBLICCapital: PragueCurrency: Czech Crown (Kcs)Population: 10,250,000Area: 78,860 sq.km (30,500 sq. miles)People: Language: Czech is the official language,

English & German are both widely spoken.Population is majority Czech with a largeamount of Slovaks. Minorities includeHungarians, Polish & Germans.

Climate: The average yearly temperature over thecountry is 10.7°C (51°F) and in Prague 9.7°C(50°F) - with temperatures droppingaccording to height above sea level.

Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr.

GeographyCzech Republic lies in the geographical centre of Europe,covering a distance of 767 km (477 miles) west to east and 276km (171 miles) north to south. It borders Germany and Poland inthe north, Slovakia in the east, Hungary and Austria to the southand again Germany to the west.

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Europe uncoveredCZECH REPUBLIC cont’d:The country has many large mountain ranges and approximatelyone-third of the territory is covered with forests. A considerablepart of the Czech Republic’s natural wealth consists of mineralsprings - there are some 3,000 of them.

Places of interest in PragueExplore Hradcany district: officially the third town of Prague.Founded in 1320, here you’ll find Hradcany Castle, St VitusCathedral, the Royal Palace and the Golden Lane. Don’t miss thechanging of the guard (takes place on the hour) or the stunningviews of Prague and the Vltava River.

Stroll along the Charles Bridge (Karlov Most): this bridgeboasts 26 statues in Baroque and Gothic style and is favoured bymusicians, artists and tourists alike. Have your portrait painted orpurchase local arts and crafts.

Relax in the Old Town Square: beneath the Astronomical Clock(built in 1490 by a master clockmaker) you can sit back and enjoya local beer and traditional Czech fare.

Shop: around Wenceslas Square (part of the new town of Prague)you’ll find plenty of treasures, both old and new, to take home.From modern fashion to traditional Bohemian Crystal there issomething here for everyone.

Manners and customsA very friendly welcome is the norm here from the locals.They enjoy many sports especially skiing, ski touring andmountain walking.This builds a healthy appetite for some of their favourite foodslike sauerkraut, dumplings, goulash, ‘bramborake’ a kind ofpotato pancake and many flavoured cream cakes etc. Beer istheir most popular drink. Their culture includes considerablefolklore, film and music festivals and trade fairs.

Best buysBohemia crystal/glass, china, fashion jewellery, works of art,products of folk art and Pilsner Urquell beer.

ekit Toll Free access number: Contact Customer Service

EGYPTCapital: CairoCurrency: Egyptian Pound (LE)Population: 76,000,000Area: 1000,000 sq.kmPeople: Language: Arabic, although there are various

dialects of Bedouin Siwan and Nubian.English and French is also spoken, thoughnot too widely. The ethnic populationincludes the Christian Cops (directdescendants of Ancient Egyptians) 14%,Nubian and Bedouin tribes adding atraditional African culture and 85% Egyptiansfollowing the Sunni Muslim religion.

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Europe uncoveredEGYPT cont’d:Climate: Egypt is hot and dry most of the year, but its

low humidity makes the heat bearable. In thesummer, temperatures range between 30°c(86F°) and 50°c (122F°) in the south, while atnight it can be very cold. The change intemperature in 24 hours can be as much as37°c (99F°).

Time Difference: GMT + 2 hrs.

GeographyEgypt is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea (north), Sudan(south) and Libya (west). The Sinai is the eastern front of Egyptwhich borders Israel to the north-east. The Red Sea and Gulf ofSuez surround its other broader territories. Egypt mostly consistsof flat desert regions apart from the fertile Nile valley and thecoastal areas. It also has many oases and some rockymountainous regions. The Nile river extends some 1200 km (745miles) from the south to the north of Egypt.

Manners and customsThe people are very religious, warm and hospitable. It is a greathonour for them to act as host to foreign visitors. They also havea good sense of humour.Ramadan is the most important Islamic festival where devoutMuslims fast from dawn till dusk for a month. Learn to relax andslow down in Egypt - time is not a priority there. ‘Baksheesh’ is atip for service and sometimes used wrongly as a bribe or to begfrom tourists.

Best buysPapyrus paintings, jewellery, beaten copperware, stone carvingsand perfume.

Making calls from EgyptTo make calls from Egypt use our Callback Service.1. Using any touch-tone phone, dial 0044 207 984 2142(please note International call charges apply).2. When prompted, enter the country code, area code (withoutthe leading 0) and phone number you wish to be called back on,then press # and hang up.3. After 20 seconds, your phone will call back. Answer the phoneas normal. * You will be connected to the ekit phone service.4. When prompted, enter your ekit account number and PIN.5. Press 2 at the main menu to make a call.6. Enter the country code (e.g. 1 for US), area code (without theleading 0) and phone number of the person you wish to call,then press # to be connected.Tips on using callback from Egypt:To use Callback from a hotel that uses a switchboard, ask thehotel operator to transfer the Callback call to your room. Refer tothe Calling Tips or print a Country User Guide.

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Europe uncoveredFRANCECapital: ParisCurrency: EuroPopulation: 60,424,000Area: 543,965 sq.km (210,025 sq. miles)People: Language: French, Breton and Basque are

also spoken as well as many other dialects.Ethnological Mix: the majority of people areFrench. Germans, Britons, Italians,Spaniards, Algerians, Moroccans andPortuguese make up 7 per cent of thepopulation.

Climate: Summers hot especially in the South.Fairly cold winters.

Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr.

Places of interest in ParisEiffel Tower: Travel to the top of this remarkable feat ofengineering and design, brainchild of Frenchman, GustavEiffel. Long-recognised as a symbol of the city, it is stunningby night and the view is breathtaking by day.Louvre: Visit the home of one of the world’s most importantart collections and see the two most popular exhibits,Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo of theHellenistic Age. (Closed Tuesday).Shops and Markets: Browse through the stores of theChamps Élysées, Rue de Rivoli and Blvde Hausman, orperhaps buy in one of the city’s many fashion houses in this,the home of haute couture.Arc De Triomphe: Visit the world’s most famous triumphalarch and photograph the amazing view of twelve avenuesradiating from the arch at the centre. Magic!Musée d’ Orsay: Explore the world’s largest and mostcomprehensive Impressionist Collection featuring work by thelikes of Pierre-August Renoir, Edgar Degas and Vincent VanGogh. (Closed Monday).Pompidou Centre: Visit this “building turned inside out”,a clever example of modern architecture and design andhome to the Modern Art Museum. (Closed Tuesday).

Places of interest in NicePromenade des Anglais: Wander along this 19th centurybeach-front street in the footsteps of Queen Victoria andsoak in the atmosphere of “the life of the rich and famous”. Le Cours Saleya Markets: Explore the many stalls featuringa variety of goods for sale and also a vast array of fruit,vegetables and fragrant flowers.Old Town: Enjoy the relaxed nightlife atmosphere of themany bars and restaurants which inhabit this district of town.Le Fort-Chateau: Appreciate the fine view of the coastlineand beaches from the top of these 12th century castle ruins.

7 amazing tours to pick from

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Europe uncoveredFRANCE cont’d:Places of interest in CannesPalais du Festivale: Visit the home of the famous annualCannes Film Festival and follow in the footsteps (or trace thehandprints) of stars the likes of Mel Gibson, Jean-Claude VanDamme, Sharon Stone and Whoopi Goldberg!

Manners and customsHandshaking is performed on meeting and parting.The French are often seen by outsiders as brusque as theywill greet a foreigner as they would a fellow citizen. A fewwords of French will receive a more friendly reply than arequest as to whether English is spoken. At some restaurantsthe same cutlery will be used for all courses.

Best buysPerfume, sunglasses, china and glass, silk scarves, gloves,coffee, cheese and wine.

eKit access number: 0805 113 721 or 0800 902 292eKit hints on calling in France:• To get a dial tone or make a call you may need to enter

some coins, a local phonecard or swipe your credit card.• ekit economy number (Paris 01-73-04-56-78,

Marseille 04-88-92-01-61, Nice 04-89-12-00-32) provideslower ekit rates but may incur local call charges.

GERMANYCapital: BerlinCurrency: EuroPopulation: 83,030,000Area: 357,849 sq.km (138,167 sq. miles)People: Language: German. Most Germans speak

some English. Russian and French arealso spoken in some areas. EthnologicalMix: various teutonic tribes. Importantregional differences between Prussian,Swabians and Bavarians - difference indialect, cuisine and local customs.

Climate: Climate is temperate, with warm summersand fairly cold winters. Prolonged periodsof frost or snow are rare.

Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr.

GeographyThe Federal Republic is divided into sixteen regions(Bunderslander). It borders the Netherlands, Belgium,Luxembourg, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Polandand the Czech Republic. The range of scenery is vast, fromthe Baltic Coast and Islands and the Harz Mountains in theNorth, the national wine region of the Rhineland in the centre,to the southern area of the Black Forest, and the Alps.

You are interested in 100%German products? Then visitour shops we only carry the

best German products!!!

• Beersteinsmade since 1600• Cuckoo Clocksmade since 1740• Birkenstocks

Made since 1774• Wuesthof knifesmade since 1814• Steiff Teddy’smade since 1880

• Hummel Figurinesmade since 1935

So, come in and take a lookaround, you will be amazed,with the selection that we

have to offer!!!

We are looking forward tomeeting you in one of our

stores!!!

Worlds largestfreehanging Cuckoo

Clock! Over 300different clocks!!!

Montag Steins & Clocks GmbhHeerstrasse 12856329 St Goar

Tel: 06741-934120 and 2488Fax: 06741-2086 w

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ince

nter

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- M

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om

Biggest Beerstein

Selection in

Germany! Over

3,000 Steins in

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BIRKENSTOCK

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Europe uncoveredGERMANY cont’d:Places of interest in MunichFrauenkirche: Explore this symbol of the city, restored afterWWII, and perhaps travel to the top of the dome for animpressive view of this city almost totally rebuilt after thedevastating bombings it suffered.

Viktualien Markets: Wander through the area long-established as the food markets of Munich and sample someof the local culinary treats such as various kinds of Germansausage, pretzels, pastries or, for health-minded people; thebest black cherries in the world!

Hofbrauhaus: Visit the oldest and most historic beerhall in this,the city of beer and sample some of its fine brews. Non-drinkers and drinkers alike can appreciate the history andatmosphere in this building where Hitler used to rally his troops.

Deutches Museum: Tour through one of the finest scienceand technology collections in the world. Although it wouldtake days to see it all, those of you with a scientific interestmay want to spend your time visiting this amazing museumin your free time.

Places of interest in BerlinShoot: photographs of the bird’s-eye-view from the top ofthe city’s television tower 207m (680 ft) which rises aboveAlexanderplatz. You can see for 40km (25 miles)!

Travel: back in time at the internationally renownedPergamon Museum, home of the Pergamon Altar (dating back to 180-159BC) and also to Egyptian andByzantine Collections.

Visit: Haus Checkpoint Charlie museum, dedicated to adisplay of “life behind the wall”, courage, bravery andingenious escape plans. A “must-see”!

Wander: up the “Unter Den Linden” into the former “EastBerlin” and past the site where Hitler’s infamous book burningsused to take place and the impressive University Buildings.

Explore: the Zoo Station area, lively, interesting and full offantastic shopping opportunities - a great place to get a tasteof Berlin.

Manners and customsBoth married and older women are addressed as ‘Frau’.Tipping is not expected. Customs for formal dress arecomparable to Britain. Germany is famous for Rhine wines,Munich Beerhalls, carnivals such as Fasching andOktoberfest - both in Munich - and the world-famous ballet in Stuttgart.

Berlin

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Europe uncoveredGERMANY cont’d:Best buysCameras, binoculars, beer steins, kitchen knives.

ekit access number: 0800 100 6492 or 0800 182 2261ekit hints on calling in Germany:• Some phones do not have a # key. You can still access the

phone service without using the # keys. Wait a few extraseconds for a voice prompt.

• To get a dial tone or make calls you might need to entersome coins, a local phonecard or swipe your credit card.

• Some phones need to be put into tone mode. Do this bypressing a series of buttons on the phone. There is a buttonto the right of the ‘6’ button. It looks like a diamond with adot in the middle and a line going out to the right. To put aphone in tone mode, press that diamond button, then ‘*’,then the diamond button again.

ekit economy number (Berlin 030-3001-90670, Frankfurt069-6677-75528, Munich 089-7104-24543)provides lowerekit rates but may incur local call charges.

GREAT BRITAINEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern IrelandCapital: London

Currency: Pounds & Pence

Population: 60,943,000Area: 242,000 sq.km (93,440 sq. miles)

People: Language: English - with varying dialectsthroughout the country, Welsh in parts ofWales and Gaelic in parts of WesternScotland and Southern Ireland.

Climate: Very mixed and unpredictable - warmer inthe South. Summer extends from June toSeptember, Winter - November to February- can be wet and dark.

GeographyGreat Britain is situated off the North-West coast of Europe.Although a comparatively small country, it has a great varietyof scenery in its towns and countryside. England is hills androlling downs, low plains and river valleys. Scotland offerswild mountainous scenery in the scarcely populatedhighlands and islands, while Wales is a country of ancienthills cut by numerous rivers and valleys. Northern Irelandcovers only about one-sixth of the total area of Ireland and isa land of unspoiled coastline and countryside, with beautifulinland lakes, mountains and hundreds of rivers and streams.

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Europe uncoveredGREAT BRITAIN cont’d:Places of interest in LondonBuckingham Palace: Definitely at the top of the list. See the Changing of the Guards (which is on every other dayat 11.00am). You’ll have to be there early to get a goodviewing point.

Tower of London: Take a tour with a Beefeater and also see the Crown Jewels. You’ll find out who lost their head and where.

Madame Tussaud’s: This is the original and the best.Mingle with all your favourite stars, royalty and politicians,then ride in a black cab through London’s history. Don’t forgetthe Chamber of Horrors to give you a good scare.

British Museum: You could easily spend all day here - theplace is huge. It’s just around the corner from the RoyalNational Hotel and there are plenty of different sections tochoose from.

Open-Top Bus Tour: Some are all day jump on and off andsome are just a tour. It’s a great way to see London.

For The Shoppers: Definitely no shortages, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Harrods, Chelsea, High Street Kensington &Camden Market.

Eating placesCovent Garden, Leicester Square, Hard Rock Cafe (GreenPark tube station), Planet Hollywood (Leicester Square orPiccadilly tube stations)

Must do’sTwo more things for the list - a ride in a black cab and theUnderground (tube).

Places of interest in EdinburghEdinburgh Castle: The most famous and you certainly can’tmiss it - just look up the hill! A guided tour of the castle isavailable with the Scottish Crown Jewels on view.

Gladstone’s land: This is a great place to see exactly what a17th century Tenement building looked like. It sets a picture ofhow the people of Edinburgh lived.

Writers Museum: Three famous writers all from Scotland havetheir treasure on show - Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevensonand Sir Walter Scott.

For the shoppers: Princes Street, Waverley Centre, King James Centre.

Places To eat: Waverley Centre, streets running off PrincesStreet, Grassmarket.

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Europe uncoveredGREAT BRITAIN cont’d:Places of interest in YorkYork Minster: This is the largest medieval Gothic cathedral inNorthern Europe, Definitely make the effort to go and have alook and then if you’re really keen climb the 275 stone stepsto the top of the Tower for unbelievable city views.For the shoppers: Parliament Street, Stonegate, Shambles,High and Low PetergatePlaces to eat: There is no shortage of restaurants and cafesin York.

Manners and customsThe English are said to be traditional and conservative butthey’re also a nation of eccentrics and are known for theirmarvellous sense of humour. Scotland is noted for itsbagpipes, kilts, haggis and whisky. The Welsh have a passionfor rugby and music and you’ll also find many indecipherableroad signs in Wales!

Best buysReady-made clothes, cashmere, shortbread, tartan, tweed,electrical goods.ekit access number: 0800 032 6297 or 020 7943 2772*ekit hints on calling in Great Britain:• When dialling on a pulse phone, after you dial the accessnumber hold down the ‘*’ key for 2 seconds to revert thephone from pulse to touch-tone. In Scotland the BT Contour100 payphones are pulse phones.ekit economy number (London 0207-943-2772, Nationwide0845-085-0855, Edinburgh 0131-464-0372)provides lowerekit rates but may incur local call charges.

ITALYCapital: RomeCurrency: EuroPopulation: 58,057,000Area: 301,225 sq.km (116,300 sq. miles)People: Language: Italian with regional dialects,

English is widely spoken. EthnologicalMix: Italian and Central European.

Climate: Italy has a Mediterranean climate; dry hotsummers in the coastal areas of theSouth; warm summers with cool nights inthe North - average temperature 24°C(75°F) in summer. Winters are cold withoccassional falls of snow

Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr.

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Europe uncoveredITALY cont’d:GeographyWith Mediterranean and Adriatic coastlines, Italy borders onFrance, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia in the North. Italy is aboot-shaped peninsula, the second longest in the world (afterBaja California) and stretches from the Alps and the Dolomitemountain range in the North to the volcanic island of Sicily inthe South.

Places of interest in FlorencePonte Vecchio: Cross Florence’s oldest bridge and indulge in aspot of “window shopping” as you pass by the exclusive shopsand take in the scenery either side of the River Arno.Accademia: Explore some of the works of Michelangelo andBotticelli displayed in this, the home of the statue of Davidwhich is one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance period.(Closed Monday).Gold and leather: Shop for some of the finest quality 18ctItalian gold jewellry you’ll ever see - so much variety and plentyof styles to choose from. Shop for highly fashionable leatherjackets, bags, belts and shoes. You can just see the quality andthe superior workmanship.Uffizi gallery: Follow the evolution of Italian art from it’sbeginnings right through to the 17th century and housed in theformer administrative offices of the Medici family. Works byGiotti, Veronese, Tintoretto and Caravaggio. (Closed Monday).

Places of interest in RomePantheon: Marvel at the “best preserved” ancient building inRome with it’s 43.3m (142 ft) open-topped dome. Take in thepeaceful atmosphere of this final resting place of the Kings ofmodern Italy and the artist, Raphael.Vatican: Visit the wealthy and opulent Vatican museum which isoverflowing with Classical and Renaissance art as well asGreek and Roman antiques. Also visit the Sistine Chapel; withit’s ceiling that was enriched by Michelangelo between 1508and 1512. See St. Peter’s Basilica which took a century to buildon the site of St. Peter’s martyrdom. (Closed every Sunday -except last Sunday of the month open till 1.30pm).Spanish Steps: Enjoy this meeting place near the via Condotti(exclusive shopping street) and watch the passers-by.The Spanish Embassy was by this site in the 17th century,hence it’s name, and the area is now a popular meeting place.Roman Forum: Explore the former centre of political,commercial and judicial life in ancient Rome. Examine the ruinsof pagan temples, markets and arches.(Closed early on Sundays).

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ITALY cont’d:Fontana Di Trevi (Trevi Fountain): Experience the magic andromance of the city’s most famous fountain, completed in1762. ‘Three Coins In A Fountain’ & ‘Roman Holiday’ sceneswere filmed here.

Places of interest in VeniceAppreciate: the majesty of “the finest drawing room inEurope” in the words of Napoleon, with covered galleries andfine cafe’s. Experience the view from the top of thecampanile (Bell Tower) - the finest bird’s-eye look at the city!See the Byzantine influence in architecture of the magnificentSt. Mark’s Basilica. (Closed Sunday).Rialto Bridge: Explore this unusual hump-backed bridgewhich was designed to allow an armed gallery to pass underit. Visit the shops and stalls which line it and catch a greatview of the Grand Canal.Guggenheim Museum: Visit the exceptional collection of20th century modern pieces, put together by PeggyGuggenheim, a fan of the Surrealists. Works by Salvador Daliand Joan Miro. (Closed Tuesday).Grand Canal: Ride along the Grand Canal and wonder at thesumptuous palaces in various styles that line it. Rest yourfeet and take advantage of the city’s water buses to see it asit was always meant to be seen - from the water!

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Europe uncoveredITALY cont’d:Doges’ Palace and Bridge of Sighs: Look at the opulence andgrandeur of the former residence of the Dukes of Venice, rich inart works and military displays alike. Go inside if you’d like towalk across the “bridge of sighs”, which connected the palace tothe Pozzi Prison where Casanova was once incarcerated.

Manners and customsIt is considered courteous to shake hands warmly on botharriving and leaving. Italians eat their main meal in the afternoon,around 1.00pm. The opening course is generally ‘antipasto’ - amixed plate of cold hors d’oeuvres. Italian cuisine is not onlypasta; each of the 18 different regions of the country has its owndistinct cuisine. The family is an important Italian institution and amarriage is not really considered a marriage until a child is born. NB. When visiting places of a religious significance in Italy, itis necessary to dress appropriately. Your Tour Manager willadvise you further.

Best buysLeather shoes, belts, gloves, silk scarves, ties, jewellery,Florentine tooled leather, Venetian glass and art books.ekit access number: 800 985 675 or 800 783 882ekit hints on calling in Italy:• To get a dial tone or make calls you might need to deposit

some coins, a local phonecard or swipe your credit card.Coins that you use should be returned at the end of the call.

• You must include the ‘0’ of the area code when dialling Italianphone numbers, for example, dial 390 followed by the Italianaccess number.

• Some hotel phones have a switch to change the phone fromMF to DC - this should switch from pulse phone to tone so youcan use the ekit service.

ekit economy number (Milan 02-3631-1926, Rome 06-9165-7473) provides lower ekit rates but may incur local call charges.

LIECHTENSTEINCapital: VaduzCurrency: Swiss FrancPopulation: 32,200Area: 157 sq.km (61 sq. miles)People: Language: German. Ethnological Mix:

Germans and Celts.Climate: Summer, moderate, changeable, cooler on

the mountains. Winter brings snow and icyconditions.

Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr

GeographyThe principality of Liechtenstein extends from the right bank ofthe Rhine to the Vararlberg Mountains. Almost three times thesize of Bermuda, Liechtenstein is a fairy-tale land of medievalcastles, lush Rhine meadows, ivy-clad chalets, vineyards andquaint villages.

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Europe uncoveredLIECHTENSTEIN cont’d:Places of interest in VaduzCastle: View the royal castle of the Liechtenstein ruling family,which is situated high above the town of Vaduz.

Manners and customsTipping is 10-15% as well as service charges.

Best cuysStamps - among the most decorative and valuable in the world,leather and wooden handicrafts.

eKit access number: There is currently no access number forLeichtenstein. eKit constantly add new countries to the accessnumber list, for an updated version, visit www.contiki.ekit.com.

MONACOCapital: MonacoCurrency: EuroPopulation: 32,700Area: 1.5 sq.km. (0.6 sq. mile)People: Language; French, Monegasque (a mixture

of French and Italian). Ethnological Mix:Monegasques, French, Italian and Russian.

Climate: Mild in winter, warm in summer with little rain.Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr standard time, +2 hr

daylight saving.

GeographyOne of the smallest states in Europe, Monaco is divided intofour parts - Monaco (the old city), Monte Carlo (the new city),La Condamine (the port) and Fontvielle (the industrial districtwhere Monaco brews its own beer). Sleek modern architecturestands next to traditional French Mediterranean buildings.The climate resembles that of Southern California, and orangeand lemon trees and palms are in abundance.

Places of interest in MonacoGrand Casino: View this beautiful building by the designer ofthe original Paris Opera, Charles Garnier. An admission fee isrequired to enter the casino but the decoration inside is ornateand decadent.Grand Prix Circuit: See the route the Formula 1 cars followaround Monaco and Monte Carlo in this famous annual motor race!Boat Harbour: Look at how the “other half” live judging by theamazing array of boats and luxury yachts in the marina.Perhaps catch a glimpse of the Royal yacht, “Deo Juvanté”(god-willing).eKit access number: 0800 913 588eKit hints on calling in Monaco:• To get a dial tone or make calls you might need to enter somecoins, a local phonecard or swipe your credit card.

14 Rue Comte Félix GastaldiMonaco-Ville

(+377) 97 98 20 40

Fax: (+377) 97 98 20 45e.mail: fredys57@hotmail.comwww.monaco-restaurants.com

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Europe uncoveredTHE NETHERLANDSPolitical Capital: DenHaag (The Hague)Official Capital: AmsterdamCurrency: EuroPopulation: 16,500,000Area: 41,160 sq.kmPeople: Language: Dutch, English, French,

German, Belgian. Ethnological Mix: Dutch,Belgians, Frisians, Germanic stock withFrench mixture.

Climate: Fairly cool summers, moderate to coldwinters - fairly wet throughout the year.

Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr

GeographyThere’s an old saying that ‘God made the world, but theDutch made Holland,’ which you can almost believe when yourealise that nearly half the country has been reclaimed fromthe sea. Miles upon miles of unbroken flower fields, farmlandand villages can all be found in this flat country which hasrolling hills and forests in the South along its border withBelgium. Amsterdam, the largest city, has more canals thanVenice, featuring 95km (60 miles) of waterways, spanned by1000 bridges.

Places of interest in AmsterdamRijksmuseum: Explore an extensive collection of paintingsby Dutch masters in the Netherlands’ largest NationalMuseum which opened in 1885. Features “The Night Watch”by Rembrandt.Albert Cuyp market: Shop for a variety of goods fromdelicious Dutch licorice and stroop waffels to clothes, shoesand all kinds of food, at this, the city’s best known market.Closed Sundays.Anne Frank Huis: Marvel at how two Jewish families hidfrom the Nazis for two years in WWII by occupying thesecond floor of what was then an office building and movingaround only at night instead of the day-time to avoiddiscovery. Anne Frank kept a diary of her experience now abest-seller in dozens of languages. Closed January 1st,Yom Kippur, December 25th.Van Gogh museum: Experience the work of a tormentedgenius in the best collection of Van Gogh’s work in the worldtoday. Popular pieces include “The Potato Eaters” and “VaseWith Sunflowers”. Closed January 1st.Bloemenmarket (Flower Market): Wander along the SingélCanal at the last of the city’s floating markets and enjoy thedisplays of fragrant seasonal flowers. Closed Sunday.

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Europe uncoveredTHE NETHERLANDS cont’d:Manners and customsThe Dutch people are polite and courteous and prefer formalgreetings on first meetings. The Dutch are a nation of cyclistsand in Amsterdam 540,000 people have bicycles - notsurprising when you consider how flat the land is.Amsterdam is famous for its restaurants - particularly thoseoffering Indonesian cuisine. The rijstafel (rice table) is a largedish of rice surrounded by up to 20 smaller dishes of meatand chicken with a huge variety of sauces.

Best buysDiamonds, Delftware - blue and white pottery, Edam andGouda cheese, white porcelain, clogs and tulip bulbs. eKit access number: 0800 020 3235 or 0800 023 3971eKit hints on calling in The Netherlands:• To get a dial tone or make a call you may need to entersome coins, a local phonecard or swipe your credit card.• ekit economy number (Amsterdam 0207 084 130) provideslower ekit rates but may incur local call charges.

ekit economy number (Amsterdam 0207-084-130,Rotterdam 0107-994-093) provides lower ekit rates but mayincur local call charges.

Amsterdam

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Europe uncoveredSPAINCapital: MadridCurrency: EuroPopulation: 40,400,000Area: 504,782 sq.km (195,000 sq. miles)People: Language: Spanish (Castillian), Catalan,

Galician, Basque. Ethnological Mix: 90 percent Spanish with minority of Basque.

Climate: The north is temperate, whilst the south isdry. The extreme South of Spain is thehottest in summer with temperatures risingto 38°c (100F°) in some places. Elevatedareas (Madrid) are very cold in winterwhilst southern Spain remains mild.

Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr.

GeographySpain, together with Portugal, occupies the Iberian Peninsulaand offers every type of climate and geographical feature.The Pyrenees physically separate Spain from France and therest of Europe, while the Straits of Gibraltar separate Spainfrom Africa. Spain is more mountainous than any otherEuropean country, except Switzerland. It also has 4,964 km(3085 miles) of coastline and it is possible to ski in the SierraNevada, less than 80 km (50 miles) from the Costa del Sol.

Places of interest in BarcelonaPicasso Museum: Visit the home of much of the work of PabloPicasso to see his beginnings in very “traditional andacceptable” styles before adopting a modern style all of his own.Be amazed at the evolution he underwent as a great painter.Port Vell: Experience the newest shopping sensation in town!Built on the water-front at the base of the Ramblas, Port Vell isa modern European Complex featuring a food hall, bars,fashion outlets and even a theme restaurant designed bySteven Spielberg!

Barcelona

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Europe uncoveredSPAIN cont’d:Gothic Quarter: Explore this old section of the city whichhouses it’s amazing cathedral, with Roman ruins and narrow,winding streets; it was here that Christopher Columbus broughthis findings from the “new world” to offer the King and Queenof Spain.Columbus Column: Climb this column situated at the base ofthe main street of Barcelona featuring a statue of ChristopherColumbus supposedly pointing towards the “new world”.Take the lift and take a look for yourself.Ramblas: Walk along the promenade of the main street ofBarcelona and take in the sights and sounds of the city’s flowerstalls, bird markets and also visit the fruit, vegetable and fishmarkets located just off the main street.

Places of interest in MadridVisit: The Prado Museum. Designed in 1785 for Charles III.Contains 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th century art concentratingon El Greco, Velázquez and Goya. The Prado Museumrepresents Spain’s greatest contribution to world culture.The museum benefited greatly from a law passed in 1836which forced monastries, convents and churches to hand overtheir works of art to allow them to be enjoyed by the public.See: The Reina Sofia Museum. It opened in 1990 and has acontemporary art collection. The focus is on Picasso, Dali andMiro and is home to Picasso’s “Guernica”.Enjoy: Plaza Mayor. Soak up the atmosphere as you dipinto some tapas and watch the world go by in this trulySpanish square.Experience: The Royal Palace built by Phillip the 5th from1734 on the site of the old Alcazar that was destroyed onChristmas Day of the same year. It is perhaps the most wellpreserved Royal Palace in Europe, with 2800 rooms that aredecorated with Flemish tapestries, paintings by the royal artistGoya and numerous artifacts.

Manners and customsThe custom of Siesta is gradually disappearing and departmentstores now stay open through the traditional 3-hour Siesta.Many of the specialities of Spanish cuisine are based onseafood - eels, bream and squid. The area of Andalusia is notedfor its cooking, especially featuring Gazpacho, a cold vegetablesoup. Spain is also famous for bullfights and flamenco dancing.

Best buysLeatherware - shoes, sandals, Toledo wrought swords, peasantpottery and baskets, jewellery, Lladro figurines.eKit access number: 800 099 665 or from a hotel 900 991 722eKit hints on calling in Spain: Make international calls from anyphone box marked ‘telefono internacional’ or at Telefonicaoffices in cities and towns.ekit economy number (Madrid 91-787-25-91, Nationwide 90-198-80-70) provides lower ekit rates but may incur localcall charges.

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SWITZERLANDCapital: BernCurrency: Francs and CentimesPopulation: 7,000,000Area: 41,288 sq.km. (15,940 sq.miles)People: Language: German, French, Italian,

Romanish (English spoken by most).Ethnological Mix: 58 per cent SwissGerman, 17 per cent Swiss French, 8 percent Swiss Italian, 17 per cent Austrianand Spanish minority.

Climate: Varies with altitude. In the South mild andMediterranean. North of the Alps - hotsummers, cold winters.

Time Difference: GMT + 1 hr

GeographySwitzerland is known as the crest of Europe with mountainpeaks as high as 4500 metres (15,000 ft) above sea level. WithItaly to the South, France to the West, Germany to the Northand Liechtenstein and Austria to the East, Switzerland iscompletely surrounded by land. It is divided naturally into three

Botoneras 5, 28012 MadridPhone: 34 91 366 30 28

The best Spanish cuisine since 1894. Located in the Plaza Mayor of Madrid.

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SWITZERLAND cont’d:Geography cont’d:regions: the Jura Mountains in the North-West, the Alps in theSouth and the Central Swiss Plateau (Mittelland), with its fertileplains and rolling hills. Switzerland is scattered with severallarge lakes, the largest of which are Lake Geneva in the Westand Lake Constance in the North-East. The mountains arecriss-crossed with rivers and over 100 glaciers. Covered by themost intensive electric railway in Europe, over 5,472 km (3400miles) long, Switzerland is the principle skiing centre of Europe.

Places of interest in LucerneWatches: Check out the enormous variety of Swiss precision-made watches available in this market town dating back to themiddle ages when traders from Italy would bring their goodsnorth via the mountain passes.

Lake Lucerne: Walk along the banks of this stunning“translucent blue” lake and take advantage of the photographicopportunities with flocks of swans of snowy white and Mounts’Rigi and Pilatus in the background.

Chocolate: Shop for Swiss chocolate - the closest thing toperfection when it comes to sweet treats. You’ll be astoundedat the variety of flavours and fillings available.

Lucerne

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Europe uncoveredSWITZERLAND (cont.)Manners and customsEtiquette and social customs are very formal. Swiss Germanstend to be extremely hygienic and hard-working. Smokingduring a meal is not polite. Tipping 12.5-15%. Stores are openfrom 8.00am to 12.15pm and 1.30pm to 6.30pm on weekdaysexcept for Monday mornings when they are closed. Storesclose at 4.00pm on Saturdays and all day on Sunday.

Best buysWatches, Lindt chocolate, music boxes, Swiss army knives.

eKit access number: 0800 834 578 or 0800 562 733

eKit hints on calling in Switzerland:• Some phones do not have a # key. You can still access thephone service without using the # key. Wait a few extraseconds for a voice prompt.• To get a dial tone or make calls you might need to entersome coins, a local phonecard or swipe your credit card.ekit economy number (Zurich 091-261-1208, Nationwide0842-000-004) provides lower ekit rates but may incur localcall charges.

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Your notes

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Your notes

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Stay in touchName Email or home address

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Contiki worldwideAUSTRALIA

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