A summary of the Tour by "The Giant" himself
Gary Fahey
Now I would like to give everybody my run down of the tour which I will start by saying was enjoyable and we are both glad we were able to partake in the festivities of the our and to meet so many wonderful people. Soppy stuff aside, here goes:

We all came together early one morning in John Smiths. We were glad to see fellow countrymen from Fosters, although we had some from Tooheys, a couple of blokes from XXXX and even a couple from Swan Lager. We hooked up with people from Moosehead Lager, Budweiser, a honeymooning couple from Tusker and even a couple from Orion, although they had been studying in Budweiser, after doing some studying in tsingtao. Although the natural enemy of those of us from Fosters, the tour guides from Steinlager seemed to be OK.

So we all headed off for the trip of a life time, departing our John Smiths base and heading for the Channel.

We boarded our ship to set sail for Jenlain Biere de Garde, still a little apprehensive about the qualities of our fellow travellers.

Off the ship at Jenlain Biere de Garde, and through Stella Artois, until we made our stop at Heineken, although those that fond it a little dirty and seedy may have decided to call it by it’s lesser liked name of Amstel.

Leaving Heineken we headed for Warsteiner. Spending one night in Warsteiner after a river cruise we departed and headed for Altbier. We spent two great night in Altbier, sampling some of its finest on the first night and the departed. On our way to Hopfenkonig we drove through a small country not even big enough to have it’s own currency, let alone it’s own beer.

So after a quick overnight stop in Hopfenkonig we headed on the long journey to Nastro Azzurro for a five night and three stops stay. The history was wonderful and I think this was a place appreciated by all.

After departing Nastro Azzuro we drove towards Jenlain Biere de Garde where we spent two wonderful nights in a NICE place, and although in Jenlain Biere de Garde sampled fruits from around the world.

Two more stops in Jenlain Biere de Garde, and a few culture stops, and another ship ride, on the way we had finished our 16 day trip of a life time and ended up in a drinking establishment in John Smiths sampling some of the nations finest. To all those who partook in this trip I would like to thankyou for making it one of the most enjoyable experiences of my short and uneventful life.

Where we went!!

Western Europe ENGLAND- London, Dover SCOTLAND-Glasgow, Edinburgh FRANCE- Paris, Nice, Lyon, Calais, Loire Valley, Montrichard, Somme NETHERLANDS-Amsterdam, Edam GERMANY-St. Goar, Rhine Valley AUSTRIA-Innsbruck SWITZERLAND-Lucerne, Engelberg, Mount Titlis LIECHTENSTEIN-Vaduz ITALY- Venice, Florence, Rome, Pisa MONACO-Monte Carlo

Europe Trip Photo Album

April 28
Get on airplane to Toronto 10:30 am leave Air Canada Arrive at Pearson (Toronto) 17:54 Leave Pearson at 19:10

April 29
Arrive in Paris (De Gaulle) 08:35 Spend rest of day finding hotel (Rivoli- 4e) and orienting ourselves Contact Sheree

April 30
Spend day with Sheree, go to Versailles Have lovely day in Paris

May 1
See Sheree off at airport Board train to Tours, then on to Mont Richard Find La Croix Blanche Hotel Wonder around town

May 2-4
Rent bikes and explore countryside See Chateau de Chenonceau Have picnic Adjust to time difference

May 5
Head back to Paris Find Montclair Montmarte (10e) Explore a bit

May 6
Wake up 5 am head to airport Flight to London at 08:20 terminal 3, arrives London Luton at 08:40 Check in at Imperial hotel Explore London for the rest of the day

May 7
Begin Contiki Tour

May 8-22
CONTIKI TOUR!!!!!!




Trip Itinerary

London to Amsterdam. Meet your Contiki crew as we drive to the White Cliffs of Dover for our cross-Channel ferry to France. Then through Belgium to Holland and its capital, Amsterdam for the evening. (D)

Amsterdam Sightseeing. Visit the cheese village of Edam, a cheese farm and see clogs being made. Shop for diamonds and take a bicycle tour of the Dutch countryside. B)

Amsterdam to the Rhine Valley. Leaving Holland we enter Germany and head for the Rhine Valley. We travel past Cologne, seeing the barges and boats on the waterways. At St Goar we take a Rhine river cruise past vineyards, castles and the infamous Lorelei rock. (B, D)

Rhine Valley to Engelberg. Today we head for the Alps and lakeside Lucerne. Enjoy an orientation tour of the beautiful city of Lucerne. An opportunity to see the Lion Monument, cross the Chapel Bridge and shop for watches and Swiss chocolate. Later we take a short journey to Engelberg and our hotel. (B,D)


Engelberg at Leisure. This morning, an opportunity for your to take the revolving cable to the top of Mount Titlis for spectacular view at 10,000 ft. Relax in Engelberg for the afternoon. After dinner, enjoy the nightlife in Engelberg. (B,D)

Engelberg to Innsbruck. Now to Austria via Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. Perhaps take the opportunity to try white water rafting before arriving in Innsbruck to see the Golden Roof. (B,D)

Innsbruck to Venice. We head south over the Brenner Pass to Venice where we learn about glass-blowing. Enjoy our complimentary motor boat to see St Mark’s Square, the Doges’ Palace and Bridge of Sighs. (B)



Venice to Rome. Southwards as we pass Bologna, climb through the Appennine Mountains, passing medieval hillside villages and on to the fabled Seven Hills of the Eternal City, Rome. Tonight a walking tour of this ancient city includes the Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. (B)


Rome Sightseeing. Today why not discover the ancient ruins of Rome with a local guide and in your free time leisurely discover the secrets of the Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel.(B,D)

Rome to Florence. We drive to Florence where our local expert guide takes us on a walking tour of the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell-tower, Piazza della Signoria and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Enjoy a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Tonight join the locals in a restaurant or club. (B)




Florence to Nice - French Riviera. We continue via Italy’s west coast to view the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then to the Côte d’Azur and our hotel on the French Riviera. Tonight, we drive to Monaco to see the Royal Palace and visit a casino. (B)

Nice Sightseeing at Leisure. Rub shoulders with the jet-set on the promenade at Nice. A chance to relax, swim or shop for French fashion – the choice is yours! (B,D)

Nice to Lyon. Visit a French perfumery before our drive to see the Palace of the Popes in the Papal city of Avignon. Then north along the Rhône Valley to Lyon.(B)

Lyon to Paris. Drive north to the Château of Fontainbleau before continuing on to Paris. Tonight we enjoy a magical evening tour of the city illuminations. (B,D)

Paris Sightseeing. Today, a full day for you to explore Paris. See the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and Nôtre Dame Cathedral. There’s time to shop on the Champs Elysées, take in a museum or stroll by the Seine. B)

Paris to London. Going north we first visit the Canadian War Memorial situated near the Valley of the Somme. From here to Calais and our cross channel ferry to Dover. Arriving London early evening. (B)

May 22
Check in at Hyde Park Inn

May 23
Wake up at 07:30 Head to London-Stansted Airport Board Ryanair 11:35 am to Glasgow-Prestwick 12:45 Find Glasgow University and our accommodations

May 24
Explore city

May 25
Get on train (scotrail) to Edinburgh Find Ardgath House Explore city for the day

May 26
Continue with explorations

May 27
Wake up at 0600, get to airport Fly back to London-Luton Check in at Hyde Park Inn Got to bed early

May 28
Fly out of Heathrow for home! Arrive at 10:35 am