Day 9-Munich, Germany

It was so sad to leave Hopfgarten this morning, Austria was so much fun, from the Contiki staff to the awesome outdoor activities we got to do. In order to stay in Austria a little longer, Ryan took us on a special stop to the Swarovski Crystal Factory. Inside the shop it was gorgeous everything was sparkling and glittering, there was this amazing spinning globe in bright, beautiful colors. Most of the girls picked up some jewelry for themselves and the guys took care of the presents for their moms. The factory wasn't just a store though, there was a hilltop lookout, labrinth garden maze, playground, and a "Yes to All" sign, which created some interesting photo ops.

After the Swarovski factory it was back to the coach and on our way to another special stop. As we crossed over the border into Germany we arrived at the Dachau Concentration Camp, which was the first Nazi concentration camp in Germany. Here we were given time on our own to see the museum, barracks, memorials, and other areas of the camp. Being here was unreal, you read the plaques on the walls, and the descriptions in the rooms, but its so hard to believe the things that went on here. It was definately a moving experience being able to come to a place where such history has happened. Back on the coach there was a quite, reflective mood, and Ryan pasted out rocks from the grounds of the camp to each us, giving us a reminder of what people have been through and this would be a reminder to us to be strong when we need to be. This stop will definately be remembered forever by me and probably all my tourmates as well, it was a great opportunity we had to be able to see this kind of history.

Shortly after the concentration camp we were dropped off in the center of Munich at the Glockenspiel, a famous clock that is like a giant cuckoo clock with moving figures inside. We had sometime to sightsee, eat lunch, and shop. Erika and I headed straight for the closest Bratwurst place we could find, what else could you want for lunch in Germany; and it was amazing. We then browsed around the market place we were at, and just spent time people watching a relaxing in the city center. Before heading back to the coach we stopped in at a Church that was said to have the devil's foot print in one of the floor tiles of the entrance way. Luckily Erika's and my foot didn't fit the mold so we aren't the devil! ...are you??

Tonight dinner was at the famous Hofbrauhaus, one of the most famous beer halls in the world. The upstairs dining room was full of long wooden tables filled with people, and all the staff was wearing traditional German attire. As soon as we sat down almost everyone order the famous beer, which are huge! And we learned that cheers in German is Prost! It took me and Elise the entire dinner to finish our beer, but we were proud of our accomplishment in the end. Similar to Switzerland, tonite was a cultural dinner, so on stage there were performers throughout dinner, even one of our own got in on the action. Kevin got dressed in lederhosen and a hat and danced alongside the traditional men, it was hysterical. After dinner some people went downstairs for some more beers, while some of us headed back to the hotel.

Today was amazing because we had so many experiences and saw so many places all in one day. The crystals were beautiful, the concentration camp was moving, the brats and beer were yummy! Tomorrow we arrive in our final city, Prague! can't wait to see what is in store for us there.

Day 4-Florence, Italy

Although today we were heading to Florence we had one final morning stop…the Swiss Alps of course! We began our way to the top on a vertical railroad. We even had an extra traveler with us, a dog, who was brought along by some hikers. At the end of the line, gondola cable cars were waiting to take us the rest of the way up. At the top the views were amazing. There was a platform that hung out over the valley, so we checked out the mountains and it was the perfect place for group photo-op. After some more pictures and a little souvenir shopping we headed down the mountain to start our drive to Florence.

As we approached Florence in the afternoon Ryan gave us all maps of the city to show us where the highlights were, like the David and the Duomo. Florence is a tiny city with skinny streets so it’s not exactly made to have a Contiki coach driving through, so because of this we stay just outside the city limits. Contiki had dinner set up for us tonight so we headed straight to the hotel to get ready for a night out in a new city. Dinner was in a restaurant that reminded me of an underground wine cellar. As my first Italian meal of the trip the food was great, but it just kept coming and coming. There was salad, then trays of pasta, ravioli, and meats. To finish off dinner and get the night started Ryan and Andy got us Limoncello, a dessert shot which was really delicious.

Those of us, who wanted to stay out, went to a place called the Red Garter. There were other Contiki tours hanging out there too, so we got to mix it up with even more travelers. Tonight was a really chill night and a lot of fun, we had some drinks, danced, and there was even karaoke. The guy working karaoke was hogging the mic, but James and some of the girls were able to sneak in some Spice Girls, great throwback. A group of us then headed back to the hotel. **Travel Tip: arrange with your roommate who will have the key, if you don’t both have one, my roommate and I got confused and ended up not realizing who had the key; if possible leave the key at the front desk and whoever gets back first can pick it up.**

Tomorrow morning we have an included walking city tour with a professional guide. Ryan has been an amazing tour guide so far, but in Italy you have to be a professional guide in order to do tours. Time to get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a day of exploring Florence!

Day 3-Lucerne, Swizterland

After another late start due to alarm clock issues, Christa and I made it to the coach just in time to head to Switzerland. Since it was our first real travel day on the coach Ryan went over some basics like rest stops, and crossing over borders, and then pretty much everyone took a nap. As we approached our first stop of the day we learned Ryan’s fun way to wake us up. How does blasting Budweiser’s Real Men of Genuis commercials sound? Haha, I guess its better than some alternatives.

As we crossed over the border Ryan took time to give us a little more info on our destination of Lucerne, Switzerland. Basically the Swiss are rich and paranoid. Everyone is issued a Swiss Army knife, tunnels are all curved to prevent bombs from traveling through them and airports are covered in grass for disguise. We got dropped off in town with some free time to explore or purchase some quality Swiss souvenirs like watches, Swiss Army knives, even cuckoo clocks and of course chocolate! **Travel Tip: Even though Switzerland isn’t part of the EU most places will accept Euros, and then you can even get change in Swiss Franks** I decided to get a Swiss Army knife because those can always be useful and engraving on them was free! **Travel Tip: Its good to keep souvenirs in your carry on in case your luggage gets lost, but if you get a Swiss Army knife make sure you put it in your checked baggage, you don’t want to have security issues at the airport!**

Desiree and I met up to do a little chocolate shopping and then took a wander through town down to the river. Entering this part of town was like a fairytale, it was so quaint and picturesque. This wooden bridge was beautiful, lined around the sides with overflowing with flowers, swans on the river below; it was like the front of a puzzle box. After crossing over the bridge we had views of the Swiss Alps and ran into some more of our Contiki travelers. Krystina was getting ready to jump in with the swans because there were steps leading right into the river. She settled for just getting her feet wet. Tonight was our cultural dinner; as we entered the restaurant we were greeted by staff in their traditional dress and live entertainment. Our meal was started with bread and cheese fondue, which is how Jen learned that Swiss cheese is from Switzerland. Haha what a clever name for it! During dinner the action got started on stage; it started off with the Alpine horn (think of the Ricola commercials) which is apparently harder than it looks according to Dan, Becky, and Kevin who gave it a try. Then it seemed like they went to a closet and just grabbed anything because they began playing the cow bells, broom, glass bottles, and even the saw. Kyle and John showed off for Contiki, by getting up for a yodeling competition and they were pretty good. However they did even better when it turned into a chugging contest, but who would have thought two college guys could be out done by a middle aged woman? Haha.

After the music came the dancing. First it was a traditional Swiss dance, which Erika and James perfected on stage. Then when they figured out a lot of people were Americans they did a conga line and the chicken dance. All our guys were quickly out done when a man of about 80 started rocking it with all our girls, especially Daniella.

After we wore out the old man, Ryan’s local friend took us to a really nice bar with a dance floor downstairs. He also gave us the inside scoop that buying a bottle of alcohol was cheaper then all buying separate drinks. So Dan, Jen, Erika, Desiree, and I split Citron Absolut for the night. Then everyone started heading downstairs, but someone learned the effects of mixing beer, wine, and liquor, so I headed back with some other to the hotel early for the night. After relaxing for a bit, my roommate Christa came back with some people and we all headed up to the roof for some views of Switzerland. I found out they headed to a beach club after the first bar, and there was real sand on the floor of this club. I’m definitely keeping that in mind for my next trip to Lucerne.

Overall I loved Switzerland; the people were friendly, and the sights gorgeous. Tonight’s dinner was amazing because I really got to know my new Contiki friends, from opening up and doing silly things like the chicken dance together. I’m excited to see the rest of Europe with them, so tomorrow its off to Florence, Italy!

Day 2-Paris, France

A croissant with Nutella was the perfect way to start my first morning in Paris. After breakfast with Ryan, April, and Christa, everyone headed for the coach to get into Paris and have a free day in Paris. On the drive Ryan told us they would be doing two drop offs, one at the Notre Dame and one and the Arc de Triomphe; this was so convenient because they were main areas of the city and we didn’t have to navigate the Metro. Ryan also gave us “Ryno in your Pocket”, which was his personalized travel sheet for us, which included info, directions to sites, and even some French phrases so we could get to know Paris better. Everyone then headed in different directions; some went shopping on Champs Elysee, to the Louvre, to Sacre de Coure, even down by the River Siene. Dan, Jen, Desiree, Simmy and I went a little off the beaten path and headed to the catacombs. Since Dan had studied abroad in France he became our personal tour guide so we walked there which gave us more of the real Paris.

Entering the catacombs I didn’t know what to expected, I had heard about them being a place of bones but just couldn’t picture it. After climbing down spiral staircases and walking along underground passageways we were surrounded by surreal history. I learned that all the bones stacked in the catacombs were from overflowing cemeteries after a plague ran rampant through Paris. This was one of the most unique experiences I’ve had while traveling; it’s definitely a worthwhile trip for your next stop in Paris. After the catacombs we headed back towards the city through these gorgeous gardens and stopped along the way for the essential Parisian treat…Crepes!! **Travel Tip: Savory crepes are just as good as Sweet crepes.** Everyone went for dessert crepes, but Simmy and I wanted to try a savory crepe also. So I got a banana/nutella crepe, which was heavenly, and then Simmy and I split a ham and cheese crepe, which was so good too there were all these seasonings in it to make it amazing.

After crepes we split up, Jen and Dan went on the Ferris wheel near the Louvre, while Desiree, Simmy and I headed for the Mona Lisa. Ryan,our amazing Contiki guide, had given us the inside scoop of an alternate entrance to the Louvre so that we didn’t have to wait at the Pyramid entrance with all the other tourists.

Since we were running short on time, we went straight for the Mona Lisa, and after getting there it wasn’t clear as to why this painting is so famous. The Louvre is way too large to see everything, so rather than get lost we just left and headed back to the coach, along the way we did some souvenir shopping at the little stands along the River Siene. Back at the hotel everyone got fancied up for our big night out in Paris at the Moulin Rouge. I once again didn’t have much knowledge of the Moulin Rouge but was excited to see this Parisian favorite.

After a few group photos outside we went inside and enjoyed dinner and wine before the show. Throughout the show we saw acrobatics, magic, topless dancers, comedians and more; it was quite the variety show. The Moulin Rouge was amazing, everyone had a great time. After the show some people went out, but I like most people just went to bed. We need some rest for our first day on the coach as we head to Switzerland tomorrow!