Europe’s Heartland from Alsace to Day 3 - Thursday, April 9: (B-D) fortified town of Petite Pierre. Explore the town and Quiche Lorraine; the Medieval city gate known as After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Luxembourg, a enjoy lunch. Afterwards continue to Strasbourg; Porte des Allemands; St. Pierre-aux-Nonnains, the A 14-day exploration of Europe’s heartland historic fortress town sometimes called the “Gibraltar located on the banks of the Rhine. This city is the oldest church in , originally built in the time of between the Rivers Rhine and Meuse, situated of the North.” Highlights will include the Casemates, a capital of Alsace and co-capital, with Brussels, of the Emperor Constantine; and some imposing buildings on the cusp of the Latin and Germanic network of underground fortifications built in the 18th European Union. Dinner and overnight in the built when this city belonged to from 1870 civilizations, cradle of wonderful art and century, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; centrally-located 4-star Hotel Mercure. to 1918, including the monumental railway station. the old town with the picturesque square known as On to Nancy, the elegant capital of Lorraine. Dinner architecture but also witness of dramatic Place d'Armes; the equestrian statue of William II of Day 6 - Sunday, April 12: Strasbourg (B-D) and overnight in the 4-star Hotel Mercure Centre, historical events, including battles such as the Netherlands; the Grand Ducal Palace; and the Morning sightseeing tour of Strasbourg, with focus on Place Stanislas. those of Waterloo and Verdun. Tour the Cathedral. In the modern ‘Low City’ we will enjoy its historical centre, the ‘Grande Île’, classified entirely scenic Forest, the Valley in sights such as the European Union buildings of the as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights will Day 9 - Wednesday, April 15: Nancy (B-D) Luxembourg and Germany, the vineyards of Kirchberg District, Neumünster Abbey, the World War include the magnificent Cathedral with the country’s Morning sightseeing tour of Nancy, with as highlights Alsace, and visit great historical and cultural II American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting highest cathedral tower, the Kammerzell House, the the wonderful Place Stanislas, one of the most centres such as Trier, Strasbourg, Metz, place of approximately 5,000 GIs as well as General imposing Opera, the Venice-like ‘Petite France’ District, impressive squares in France, named after a former George Patton, and the German War Cemetery. the Palais de l’Europe, and a boat tour on the canals. Nancy, and Brussels. Accommodation in King of Poland who was also Duke of Lorraine; the Afternoon on your own. Fans of contemporary art Afternoon at leisure to explore Strasbourg, or visit one Ducal Palace; the Fine Arts Museum with its excellent hotels, and fine food and wine! Tour may want to visit the MUDAM (Musée d'Art Moderne), of the superb local museums, such as the Musée impressive collection, including works by local escorted Jacques Pauwels, PhD, author, designed by architect I.M. Pei of "Louvre Pyramid" Alsacien, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary masters such as Claude Lorrain and the famous historian and lecturer, who has led all fame. Dinner of Luxembourg specialties in a typical Art, and the Palais Rohan with its fine arts and lithographer, Jacques Callot; and the exquisite previous Guelph Arts Council tours. restaurant such as Mousel’s Cantine. archeology collection. Dinner of traditional Alsatian museum of the School of Nancy, one of Europe’s specialties, such as choucroute. leading Art Nouveau movements, exemplified by Day 4 - Friday, April 10: Luxembourg (B) artists such as Daum and Gallé. This afternoon enjoy DAY BY DAY ITINERARY Full-day excursion to Trier, situated in the scenic Day 7 - Monday, April 13: Strasbourg (B, L or D) Nancy on your own. Shopping is excellent here, and Moselle River Valley and the lovely Luxembourg Full-day excursion into the Alsatian countryside, with other museums beckon, e.g. the Lorraine Historical Day 1 - Tuesday, April 7: (D-B) countryside. Trier functioned as capital of the Roman visits to the enchanting Medieval wine village of Museum. This evening, dinner in the famous Evening departure from Toronto to Brussels on Jet Empire, and its remarkable collection of Roman ruins Riquewihr situated in a sea of vineyards, and the town Brasserie Excelsior with its splendid Art Nouveau Airways. Dinner and breakfast served on board. has earned the city a spot on the UNESCO World of Colmar. Tour the historical centre by electric train interior decoration, billed as the “flagship of the Heritage List. Our sightseeing program will include the and visit the wonderful Unterlinden Museum, School of Nancy.” Day 2 - Wednesday, April 8: Luxembourg (B-D) monumental Roman city gate known as Porta Nigra, featuring the world-famous painting known as the Morning arrival in Brussels then travel south by private “Black Gate,” the Roman amphitheatre and baths, the Isenheim Altar, by Matthias Grünewald (a Day 10 - Thursday, April 16: Dinant (B-D) coach into the legendary Ardennes Forest, presumably Main Square, one of the finest in Germany, the revolutionary Alsatian Renaissance painter), and Travel north via the infamous WW I battlefields of the “Forest of Arden” of Shakespeare's play As You Like fortress-like Cathedral, the Basilica, originally part of paintings by Holbein the Elder, Renoir, and Picasso. Verdun, where we pause briefly to view the huge It. The Ardennes Forest also witnessed the titanic the palace of Emperor Constantine, and the house in Douaumont Memorial, and where your guide will “Battle of the Bulge,” fought in the winter of 1944-45 which Karl Marx was born in 1818. In the afternoon Day 8 - Tuesday, April 14: Nancy (B-D) explain the historical importance of the famous between American and German forces. Visit the we tour the German-Luxembourg Nature Park and Travel west and enter Alsace’s sister-province, Verdun Treaty, signed here in the year 843. Travel impressive Mardasson Memorial, located near the Luxembourg’s “Little Switzerland” region, pausing in Lorraine, part of an early Medieval Kingdom known as on through the bucolic valley of the River Meuse. town of Bastogne, erected in memory of the 76,890 the quaint little resort of Echternach with its Lotharingia, which also included the Low Countries, Re-entering Belgium, break for lunch in Bouillon American casualties of the battle, and to the nearby prestigious abbey, associated with Saint Willibrord, much of Germany’s Rhineland, and parts of western dominated by the huge castle associated with a local War Museum. Then on to the Grand Duchy of before returning to our hotel. Switzerland. Visit to Metz, one of the province’s major knight, Godfrey of Bouillon, one of the leaders of the Luxembourg, a tiny but very prosperous independent historical and cultural centres, with sights such as St. First Crusade, taking Jerusalem in 1099. In the country, strategically situated between France and Day 5 - Saturday, April 11: Strasbourh (B-D) Etienne Cathedral, famous for its sky-high nave and afternoon we continue through the forest-covered Germany and featuring a fascinating mix of Germanic From Luxembourg cross into France and visit the magnificent stained glass windows, some by Chagall; hills and deep valleys of the Ardennes Forest to the and Latin cultures. Dinner and overnight in the Hackenberg, a completely intact fortress of the beautiful Place d'Armes Square with the city hall and picturesque town of Dinant. Dinner and overnight in traditional 4-star Grand Hotel Cravat in the capital city Maginot Line, situated near the town of Thionville, and the former episcopal palace, now a famous covered the 3-star hotel Castel de Pont à Lesse. of Luxembourg. on to the province of Alsace and the picturesque food market featuring regional specialties such as visit the impressive Lion Monument as well as the Day 11 - Friday, April 17: Brussels (B-D) adjoining museum and panoramic painting of the Morning sightseeing of Namur, capital of Wallonia, the battle. Au Revoir dinner in a typical restaurant. French-speaking part of Belgium, a city whose mighty fortress towers over the strategically important Day 14 – Monday, April 20: (B-L) confluence of the Meuse and Sambre Rivers. Early morning transfer to Brussels Airport and return Sightseeing will include the Citadel, scene of heavy flight to Toronto, with Jet Airways. fighting in both world wars, the picturesque old town, the scenic banks of the Meuse, and the museum  Guelph Arts Council presents its devoted to the work of a little known but rather naughty and fascinating 19th-century local painter, Included in the Cost: Entrance to the Cinquantenaire Complex in Brussels 17th annual arts & culture tour Félicien Rops. In the afternoon visit the town of Mons,  Return flight to Brussels, with Jet Airways to Alsace, Lorraine, including St. Symphorien Cemetery, featuring graves of  Accommodation based on double occupancy in Jacques Pauwels Belgium and Luxembourg soldiers of the three nations – Canada, Britain, and first-class/4-star hotels except on day 10, when Jacques has several degrees including Licenciate

Germany - that were involved in the two battles fought a superior 3-star hotel will be used (single History, State University of Ghent, Belgium, 1969; PhD in Mons during WW I, including the graves of the first room supplement is $785) History, York University, 1976; MA Political Science, British soldier to be killed in the war and the last  Daily breakfast (B), mostly buffet-style, and University of Toronto, 1984; PhD Political Science, Europe’s Heartland Canadian soldier to fall - only minutes before the daily dinner (D) except on days 4 and 12 University of Toronto, 1995. He lectured at various cease-fire on November 11, 1918. On to Brussels for  Overland transportation via private coach Ontario universities, including U of T, Waterloo, and from dinner and overnight in the first-class NH Hotel Du Guelph. With his two PhDs, author of numerous  All visits and sightseeing as outlined in the Grand Sablon, very centrally located on the charming articles and books, many languages and love of food itinerary, including admission to museums and and lively Sablon Square, beside Wittamer, one of the and wine, Jacques continues to be a most popular Alsace to Belgium city’s finest chocolate and pastry shops. monuments as shown in the itinerary tour guide. His wealth of information on any subject is  Gratuity for the coach driver always in abundance for participants on his personally Day 12 - Saturday, April 18: Brussels (B) designed and executed tours around the world. April 7-20, 2015 Morning tour of Brussels, capital of Belgium including Not included: . the magnificent Grand’Place, the little statue of  ***The usual combination of airport Guelph Arts Council is a non-profit, Manneken Pis, the Royal Palace, St. Michael’s taxes/security fees/fuel surcharges, presently charitable organization dedicated to the Cathedral, the huge Palace of Justice, Avenue Louise, Tour Cost from Toronto (June 2014) approximately $580, but subject to the Cinquantenaire Complex, etc. Also visit to the encouragement, stimulation and co- change; Horta Museum, the home and studio of famous ordination of arts activities in the City of $3995  Belgian Art Nouveau architect and decorator Victor All expenses of a personal nature; Guelph and surrounding area. Its programs Single Supplement $785 Travel Insurance Horta, with its perfectly preserved mosaics, stained and activities are supported through Land only $3745 glass, and wall decorations. Free time to shop or memberships; individual, business and explore with dinner on your own. Perhaps enjoy an optional classical music concert . corporate gifts; and government agencies

Day 13 - Sunday, April 19: Brussels (B-D) FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Morning visit to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, whose GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL (519-836-3280) collection includes works by both ancient and modern Sally Wismer at 519-824-8131 or masters such as Brueghel, Rubens, Ensor, and [email protected] Magritte. Excursion to the nearby town and battlefield of Waterloo, site of the great battle of June 376 Woolwich Street, Upper Apt 18, 1815 – exactly two centuries ago! We will view Guelph ON N1H 3W7 Strasbourgh with its Canals both Napoleon’s and Wellington’s headquarters and Alsace Lorriane (National Geographic) Tour Arrangements by Pauwels Travel, Brantford TICO:1034992