THE '5' CONTINENTS OF EUROPE

THE '5' CONTINENTS OF EUROPE

The five continents of Europe namely Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Germany and Paris is the most popular route – where one can discover all the places in a 10-day tour by land.

I had signed up for the five continents tour in July 2003 costing RM3000 – which started with the Channel Crossing to Brussels, Belgium.

AMSTERDAM MARKET

DAY 1 – Channel Crossing – join coach services to Brussels

DAY 2 – 2D1N – Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, the modern centre of the EU, still has its old world charm – of cobbler road and squares in the city centre. It is a free and easy day – where I spent most of time exploring the historic town and take photographs along the way. Attractions found in the city centre include – Our Lady Asst Church, Church of Notre Dame, Sain Grey, LA Bourse, and Grand Place (Market Place). Do not forget to capture a photograph of Manneken-Pis – a legendary Brussels figure and a hero which glory has widely spread. The Manneken-Pis statue can found at every corner of the town. Another must not missed is the “Statue of Everard 't Serclaes” - a customary to rub the hand of the statue – to bring good luck. I even hold and rub the hand of Everard 't Serclaes. 

BELGIUM - STATUE OF EVERRD'T SERCLAES

DAY 3 & 4 – 3D2N – Hague, Amsterdam

Drive through Dutch dyke country to The Hague - a delightful city of 1000 bridges. Visit to diamond cutter's workshop. Second day is free & easy – walk around the market by day and the Red Lights District by night. I wrote a separate story for Amsterdam titled Holland in my blog.

AMSTERDAM - CANAL

 

DAY 5 2D1N - Cologne, Rhineland, Germany

After Amsterdam, drive southwards by way of Cologne into the lvoely landscape of the Rhineland for overnight. The morning begins with an included Rhine Cruise with some legendary sights including the Lorelei Rock when cruising from Boppard to Oberwesel. The river cruise passed by the Cuckoo Town, Castles and legendary houses located by the river side.

GERMANY - RHINELAND CRUISE

DAY 6 & 7 3D2N - Lake Lucerne , Switzerland

On first day morning in Lake Lucerne - taking in the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge and the Lion Monument – a masterful stone sculpture in honour of the heroic Swiss guard of Louis XVI. The Lion Monument – was built for the 2 Switz guard who lost their lives in Paris during the French Revolution, in 1792. The lion is carved into a rock symbolised strength to show to remind people of the tragic incident. The facial expression of the lion is painful in the hole of a pig. Donations to upkeep the monument.

SWITZERLAND TOWN

A must visit place is the Mount Titlis – take a cable car (rotair) ride to the summit of Mt Titlis for some spectacular views of the Alps. Titlis is the highest mountain excursion in central Switzerland and the region's largest year-round skiing and snow-boarding Eldorado. The rotair is theh world's first revolving cable car. Titlis is a unique snow and glacier paradise and the fastest reachable glacier from Lucerne, Zurich and Basel. Here, visitors can experience the following – ice flyer chair lift, glacier park, snow park/slopes, glacier cave, restaurants/bar, unique panorama, glacier path, souvenirs and snow sports. 

THE ALPS (MT TITLIS)

On the second day – free & easy around the town centre to view the vistas of green pastures and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers.

DAY 8, 9 3D2N – Paris

Enter into France – past some of its most famous vineyards to Paris. Free & easy for the two days – on the first day I spent time to explore the exciting city – Notre Dome Cathedral, La Sorbonne, Boulevard St Germain, Eiffel Tower, Opera, Champs Elysees and the Rue de Rivoli. On second day, I took the enchanting river cruise and take it easy, here. Go for Chinese food (chap fun) which costs RM70 for two plates of chap fun, for lunch time.

I wrote a separate story on Paris, in my blog.

PARIS

DAY 10 - FAREWELL EUROPE, BACK HOME

JULY 2007

ROMANTIC PARIS - EIFFEL TOWER