EXTRAS
During our trip, Martin had a few surprises in store for us. He didn't mention them until the last minute, in case something came up and we couldn't squeeze them in. Here are a few examples:
Liechtenstein
On our way from Switzerland to Munich, we squeezed in just about half an hour in Liechtenstein.
On our way from Switzerland to Munich, we squeezed in just about half an hour in Liechtenstein.
With that time, some of us had our passports stamped. Within the European Union, passports are not stamped at the borders, but you can pay a small fee to have it done there.
Chuckie & I are posing in front of a replica of the castle where the prince lives. The actual castle sits at the top of the hill overlooking the principality.
Florence American Cemetery and Memorial
Martin told us we were stopping on our way to our inn in Tuscany. Some of us tried to guess where, but none of us guessed correctly. We stopped at the Florence American Cemetery, one of the World War II cemeteries maintained by the US on European soil. It was very moving and poignant, especially for those in the group who'd had family members fight in World War II.
Martin told us we were stopping on our way to our inn in Tuscany. Some of us tried to guess where, but none of us guessed correctly. We stopped at the Florence American Cemetery, one of the World War II cemeteries maintained by the US on European soil. It was very moving and poignant, especially for those in the group who'd had family members fight in World War II.
A view looking across the cemetery towards the Memorial.
"Here rests in honored glory, a comrade in arms known but to God."
The sculpture of a soldier standing watch over the fallen.
Birthdays
Two of us in the group celebrated birthdays during our trip. Martin had the entire group sign cards for each of us. And since my birthday was the last day of the tour, I got a special dessert at our final dinner in Rome.
Two of us in the group celebrated birthdays during our trip. Martin had the entire group sign cards for each of us. And since my birthday was the last day of the tour, I got a special dessert at our final dinner in Rome.
National Anthems
On the bus, Martin would play the national anthem of each country as we left it and would follow up with the anthem of the next country as we entered it.
On the bus, Martin would play the national anthem of each country as we left it and would follow up with the anthem of the next country as we entered it.
Meeting Rick Steves
As you can see from the photo above, our group had a "celebrity sighting" at the Colosseum. While we were waiting for Martin & our local guide Alessandra to get our tickets, Rick Steves walked by. He had joined one of the Best of Italy tour groups for the day. While I think this surprise was more coincidence rather than due to Martin's planning, our group was excited to get to tell Rick how much we had enjoyed our trip!