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Hiking in ’s Little Switzerland, 2022 An AMC Adventure Travel Trip #2242 11 – June 19, 2022

Thank you for your interest in trip to Luxembourg! We’re looking forward to an enchanting trip to a country that has only hosted two AMC trips, both led by Sam Jamke, in 2017 and 2019. She enjoyed it so much that she has planned this return trip with associate leader, Jay Sitkin. Most of our will be on the tiny country’s 112 km Müllerthal Trail which has been described by the Pocket Guide to the trail as follows:

“Hiking through rock crevices of the Luxembourg sandstone, through forests, light-filled valleys and along small streams - all these options are offered by the fantastic along the Müllerthal Trail. Extraordinary natural phenomena such as the luminous moss reflect the power of nature. Faces and figures emerge from the rocks. Those who know the legends and myths of the are sure to see fairies flit through the forest here and there.

On its 112 km, the Müllerthal Trail leads through the varied landscapes of the Müllerthal Region - Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland. On the three main trail routes, hikers can enjoy regional peculiarities as bizarre rocks, mossy forests and quaint stream valleys but also open pastures. Again and again the Müllerthal Trail leads to beautiful viewpoints and cultural sites.

The three routes of the Müllerthal Trail each have their own character. Route 1 provides the change of landscapes typical for the region: rocks, woods and meadows. Route 2 leads through the heart of Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland and brings hikers to spectacular rock formations. Route 3 is characterized not only by the rocks but above all by enchanting stream valleys and romantic castles.”

Click on this link to see a video of the trail and visit the trail’s web site to browse photos.

This prospectus should answer most of your questions about our trip. Please read the information carefully and contact us with any questions or to request application materials. Our contact information is at the end of the prospectus. We look forward to your joining us on this fabulous adventure. Luxembourg 2022 – Jamke-Sitkin

Trip Description Our trip will be based in the eastern corner of Luxembourg. We will be staying at three different locations – Luxembourg City, , and Larochette. Not only will be hiking in this beautiful country, but we’ll have time to meet the locals and socialize!

Our trip consists of 5-6 days of hiking in Luxembourg’s “Little Switzerland,” two partial days to tour Luxembourg City and one free day during the middle of the week which we will have a guided tour of the castle in Larochette and time to explore the on your own.

Typical Participants This is a trip for experienced hikers who enjoy an active vacation. You should be fit enough to walk 8 to 12 miles per day for several days (approximately 6 +/- hours of hiking per day) in a row with a day pack with your personal gear (i.e., rain gear, pack lunch, extra layers, etc.) in all different weather conditions. Daily elevation gain/loss are not large and will range between 300’ and 1100’.

This is a group activity and we will be spending many, but not all, hours together. We expect that everyone will pitch in and contribute to helping each other have a great time.

Detailed Itinerary

Date Activity Details Friday, Depart your gateway city to travel by air to Luxembourg City. Meals included: (vendredi) None June 10 , Official starting day: Arrive in Luxembourg City and take a bus or taxi Meals included: (samedi) from the airport to the city. From there, you have free time to tour the Group Dinner June 11 city on your own or with the leaders. We are lodging tonight at a right near the central bus and train station. Tonight we will gather for our first meal together. , We will transfer by bus to Echternach dressed Meals included: (dimanche) in our hiking gear. Once there, we’ll drop off , Group Dinner June 12 our bags, grab a bite to eat for lunch and then take our first hike, to , and bus back (or Mileage: walk if you wish). Once back in town, you are Approximately 3.6 miles free to explore. We’re anticipating staying at Le one way. Petit Poete. This hotel is in the marketplace of this historic town.

Luxembourg 2022 – Jamke-Sitkin 2 of 7 Monday, Today we board the bus to our Meals included: (lundi) trailhead in Moersdorf which is on Breakfast, Packed Lunch June 13 the of Luxembourg and . We will then hike back Mileage: to Echternach. You will have free Approximately 11.8 miles time to explore and have dinner on your own when we get back. Overnight is again at le Petit Poete.

Tuesday, Today is a repeat from yesterday Meals included: (mardi) except we will be hiking the other Breakfast, Packed Lunch June 14 half of the circuit. Overnight is again in Echternach. While here, Mileage: you may even cross the River Approximately 11.7 miles into Germany.

Wednesday, Meals included: (mercredi) Today we will transfer to Breakfast June 15 Larochette by bus. We have scheduled a tour of the castle Mileage: and you will have free time to Free day explore the town and surrounding area. Lodging while we’re in Larochette is at the Larochette Youth Hostel.

Thursday, Today we hike the trail between Meals included: (jeudi) Larochette and Müllerthal. Breakfast, Packed Lunch, June 16 Along the way, we will see the Group Dinner much-photographed Schiessentümpel ( Mileage: pictured on right). You will Approximately 11 miles have free time on your own when we get back to Larochette.

Friday, Today we will take the bus to Meals included: (vendredi) Beaufort, visit the castle and Breakfast, Packed Lunch, June 17 have a guided tour of the Group Dinner chateau before hiking back to Larochette (or take the bus if Mileage: you wish). The first part of Approximately 7.8 miles our hike will be through forest until we hit the high point of the trail where we will have a 360o view of the area. When we’re back in Larochette, you’ll have free time to relax.

Luxembourg 2022 – Jamke-Sitkin 3 of 7 Saturday, This morning, we will have a Meals included: (samedi) private transfer back to Breakfast, Group Dinner June 18 Luxembourg City where you’ll have free time to continue to Mileage: explore the city on your own or Free time with the leaders. We will have a farewell group dinner tonight. We’ll be overnighting in the hotel near the central station again

Sunday, Today we say goodbye to the Meals included: (dimanche) Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Breakfast June 19 as we transfer back to the airport for our flights home.

What to Expect This trip is rated vigorous due to the length of the back-to-back hiking days. Our pace will be Important Note – mileages shown in the moderate so that we may enjoy the scenery and itinerary are estimates only. Leaders reserve gain an appreciation for this beautiful country. If the right to change our daily itinerary due to you enjoy a fast pace, you may be disappointed as weather and/or other unforeseen we intend to stop and take time to take pictures. circumstances. We appreciate everyone’s We will also take time to meet residents cooperation in this matter. Because of the and socialize with each other. number of miles we’ll cover each day, the hiking is rated vigorous. Our accommodations will be at two comfortable and a youth hostel. There are no single rooms available; all single travelers will be paired with a same gender roommate.

Cost of the Trip The trip will cost $1800 for AMC members, $1900 for non-members. Included: eight (8) The trip fee includes an AMC overhead charge to nights of lodging, eight (8) , four (4) cover the administrative expenses of offering packed lunches, five (5) group dinners, five (5) AMC Adventure Travel excursions and, in hikes, castle tours, all ground transfers, and accordance with AMC policies, you are emergency medical and evacuation subsidizing some of the leaders’ costs.

as required by AMC. Note that public transport in Luxembourg is free for everyone – buses, trains and trams.

Your round-trip airfare to Luxembourg City which we currently estimate at $1,500 is not included. Leaders will be glad to provide information on suggested airlines and schedules and/or assist you in booking your flights. Luxembourg 2022 – Jamke-Sitkin 4 of 7

Note: The trip cost does not include insurance for Please note that most of these types of travel delay, interruption or cancellation of travel insurance require you to purchase the trip, or baggage loss. Purchasing such the insurance within a certain number of insurance is strongly suggested. The days after booking your trip – once you leaders will send you information to help have received a formal acceptance letter, you purchase this insurance through a please do not delay in purchasing your preferred AMC vendor or you can purchase insurance if you choose to do so. through your own preferred vendor.

How to Proceed To apply to the trip, email the leaders letting will be deposited and the trip’s cancellation them know that you are interested in receiving policy will take effect (see below). The rest of the trip application forms. We will send you the the trip fee ($1300 or $1400 if a non-AMC application, risk release, and medical forms member) will be due by February 1, 2022. which you will need to print, complete, sign and return along with the required deposit check of Please note: Airfare, if booked by leaders, is due $500 per person, made payable to the at time of booking.

Appalachian Mountain Club. Send to leader Sam IMPORTANT NOTE: Jamke at the on the application. The price of the trip is subject to an increase

Your official acceptance onto the trip will not should the value of the US dollar versus the happen until the leaders have determined by a Euro declines significantly from the estimated telephone conversation with you that you and exchange rate of €1 to $1.30. Conversely, any the trip are a good match. unspent funds resulting from exchange rates being more favorable than our estimate will be Once you have been officially accepted and the refunded to the participants. trip has the required number of qualified participants to make the trip ‘a go,’ your check

Luxembourg 2022 – Jamke-Sitkin 5 of 7 Please read the standard AMC Terms and Conditions.

Cancellation Policy (See additional cancellation info in T&C, above) Our cancellation policy is based on several considerations. • First, a cancellation shall not raise the cost to the other participants or to the leaders • Second, we will charge a canceling participant for the expenses already incurred on his/her behalf and any unavoidable future expenses that will be incurred as a result of his/her registration, unless they can be applied toward another acceptable participant • Cancellation Penalty • $0 penalty if canceled (in writing) before 1, 2022, less any funds that fall into the category of the second bullet above • $250 penalty if cancelled (in writing) from January 1, 2022, to 30, 2022, plus any funds that fall into the category of the second bullet above. • No refund if cancelled after April 30, 2022 unless we can replace you on the trip.

THE LEADERS

Sam Jamke Sam is a four-season hike leader with the NH chapter and former Chapter Chair. She has led over fifteen Adventure Travel trips, including six hut-to-hut trips in Patagonia and New Zealand, as well as the first-ever AMC trip to the tiny Duchy of Luxembourg in 2017. She is also a hike leader for AMC Camp. She has climbed the White Mountain Four Thousand Footers and the New Hundred Highest in winter. Her other hiking venues include many western states, , the UK, , , and Antarctica. Sam is a former AMC Information Volunteer and a former member of the Club’s Board of Directors. She is looking forward to dusting off her once good skills.

Luxembourg 2022 – Jamke-Sitkin 6 of 7 Jay Sitkin Jay, from Philadelphia, is a Delaware Valley hiking, biking, and backpacking leader and AMC Adventure Travel Associate Leader. He has travelled throughout North & South America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Western & Eastern . Jay has lived in , has had an extended stay in New Zealand. He has hiked, cycled, or backpacked in Patagonia, , in the . Jay owned an outdoors shop in Blue Bell, PA, selling outdoor clothing and gear, climbing equipment, canoes, kayaks, xc equipment and offered a wide variety of lessons in these activities. Over the years he has organized trips as varied as hiking the Tour Du , touring Alaska, and to Machu Picchu. He has participated in long distance cycling activities such as the Tour of Colorado, MOOSA, and has backpacked and hiked Yellowstone and the Tetons, and the “W” in Patagonia.

Contact for More Information: Sam Jamke 96 Jenkins Road Bedford, NH 03110 603-472-2536/ [email protected]

Jay Sitkin 608 W. Phil Ellena St – B1 Philadelphia, PA 19119 267-664-0939 [email protected]

Note: All photos not taken by the leaders on prior trips are used by express permission of Luxembourg officials.

Luxembourg 2022 – Jamke-Sitkin 7 of 7