A Guided Tour of Europe Was More than Just Sightseeing

   

In St Marks Square, just as the Venetian sun was waning, the small, grey pigeon fluttered to a landing on the head of an unsuspecting tourist.  My fifteen year old son and I burst into laughter, our reactions mirrored by our travelling companions, including the one enjoying the avian attention.  We were in the midst of a whirlwind tour that wrapped eight countries, forty tourists and eighteen days in a concoction of priceless memories, friendships and unexpected delight. .

 

 I had decided to take Alex on a guided tour to show him the splendors of Europe.  Having been on such a tour as a student, I was really looking forward to it.  My son was apprehensive about travelling with his Mother, a bunch of strangers and the bus wasn’t a big selling point either.

 

Our odyssey began in London.  Guide services were available, but we were not with our group yet. Alex and I navigated London easily.  Tourists were asking us for directions.  Perhaps we didn’t need any help.   Then we met our first city guide.  Carlotta was a tall, broad shouldered, middle aged Queen Victoria look a-like, with a wicked sense of humor and regal, English bearing.    Her commentary enhanced our appreciation of sites exponentially.  We’ll never forget gliding along the Thames at night, with the city skyline winking at us and Carlotta’s soft English accent steeping the scene in historic context.

 

After crossing the English Channel on the ferry, Alex and I boarded the “dreaded” bus.   We glanced around at our companions – a weary bunch that did not look like they were going to be much fun.   Our tour leader – a perky, doe eyed Hungarian named Orsula, spoke with an accent heavier than Schwarzenegger’s in his early years.  Alex rolled his eyes.   I began to question my wisdom in choosing a tour.

 

Some of our ambivalence began to wane during our tour of Brussels.  We descended upon the “Grand Place” just before dusk.  This square, lesser known than St. Marks or St. Peters, was once described by Victor Hugo as the most beautiful in all of Europe.   The architecture is stunning and in the shadow of its towering, gothic city hall, Alex was smitten.  This Unesco World heritage location became his favorite European tourist site.

 

Back on the bus things were surprisingly comfortable.  We had good travel pillows and frequent stops enabled us to stretch our legs.  Orsola was knowledgeable and humorous.  Her accent became quite endearing.  We enjoyed the perks of guided tours, including pre-arranged accommodations and porter services. 

 

On our Rhine river cruise, as medieval castles and lush vineyards floated by,   Alex and I were on our way to making friends.  The majority of our tour members hailed from “the land down under”.   Australian’s love to travel, and frankly I love to travel with them.  They are friendly, generous and just plain fun.  We even had a father/daughter duo from Sydney. Kate, a lithesome, brown haired Aussie was one year younger than Alex.  I was thrilled he had someone his age to share this experience.

 

In Nuremburg, a city of gothic churches and quaint markets, our group dynamic shifted dramatically.   An older woman, travelling alone, failed to show at a meeting spot.  As Orsula and local police frantically searched for Lillian, we waited at an outdoor café.  Adversity brings people closer and I befriended a beautiful, Botticelli faced young woman named Jessica.  She was travelling with her older sister- Susie and mother – Carol. 

 

Unfortunately, the reality of a strict deadline made it necessary to leave without Lillian.  In hushed conversations strangers became friends, sharing mutual concern for the missing woman.  Luckily, Lillian met up with another tour and was able to catch up with us later that night.

 

  The majestic city of Prague, renowned for its golden spires and rich history, brought us to our most entertaining guide ever.  Vasslav ‘s rolling r’s and distinctive inflections inspired more than a few smiles.  A friendship between my Alex and Matt (travelling with his wife from India) blossomed as they shared a sense of humor bridging a thirty year age gap.

 

A standing ovation greeted Lillian when she re-joined us. A spry, former ballerina with a ready grin and video camera permanently in hand, Lillian had a tendency to stray.   Departing for Austria, Alex decided to keep an eye on her.

 

An ethereal light bathed St. Stephan’s Cathedral, as we took in Vienna by night.  The next afternoon after leaving the magnificent Schonbrum Palace behind, we embarked on our longest journey yet.  The seven hour ride to Venice whizzed by.  Matt regaled Alex with stories about his village in India. I silently congratulated myself on having introduced myself to every member of the tour.  

 

Italy was in the midst of a heat wave.  The blazing sun prompted purchases of lace fans and made the waves on the Grand Canal sparkle.  Renaissance architecture nestling in turquoise waterways gave Venice a truly mesmerizing quality.  Sharing our gondola ride with friends made the experience even more memorable.

 

At the Trevi fountain, I was living proof that returning to Rome after throwing in a coin does happen.  Twenty-five years later, with my son beside me, the murmur of Australian accents in the background and Bernini’s masterpiece illuminated in the twilight, I enjoyed a truly magical moment.

 

The grandeur of the Roman coliseum was inspiring, but Alex and I were treated to an even more spectacular site.  At our hotel, we were assigned the room on the topmost floor, which boasted a spacious balcony.  That evening we hosted a party with Italian wine, Belgian chocolates, a view of the Roman skyline and lots of laughter.

 

Negotiating the cobblestoned streets of Florence I was regaled by the rapier wit of Carol from Melbourne.  Travelling with two daughters, she exhibited a dry sense of humor that coupled with a great affection for people, made her irresistible.  Over an expensive, yet delicious gelato, an abiding affection was born.

 

 Lucerne, Switzerland proved to be a gem of a city. Perched on the banks of a lake, surrounded by stately alpine peaks, it caused instant wonder.  A trip to the glacial peak of neighboring Mt.Titlus gave a Malaysian tour member his first glimpse of snow.  The snow ball fight that ensued was a priceless.

 

After an evening of Swiss folklore and fondue, we became mired in traffic.  Orsula put on a disc and Abba’s “Dancing Queen” filled the bus.  I was grateful Alex had stayed behind.Our dancing in the aisles wasn’t a site he minded missing. 

 

 By the time we reached our last stop – Paris, our friendships were entrenched.  Alex elected to forego an excursion with me in order to see the Eiffel Tower at night. The pictures he took were amazing.

 

  Our trip to Versailles left an impression of incredible opulence.  As we stood in the in the hall of mirrors, gazing at the glittering glass and crystal, Alex pointed out that Versailles should be seen last, because it makes all the other Palaces pale in comparison.

 

The Tour’s farewell dinner was bittersweet.  We toasted newfound friends and dreaded parting.  I felt immeasurably proud of Alex.  Jessica dubbed him the “star” of the tour, as he had befriended everyone.  Tears flowed when goodbyes were exchanged.

 

Now back at home, Alex enjoys weekly Skype conversations with friends in India. The over 2000 pictures he took bear further testament to the tour’s unmitigated success.  Our favorite wanderer has called from Perth, Australia.   Lillian fondly refers to Alex as her “Guardian Angel”.   Our next trip will be to visit some of our new friends in their countries.

  

So while guided tours can be hectic, and many people eschew them for being trite, I am a huge fan.   Touring Europe taught my son about history, but meeting new friends took him on a journey richer than any trip ever could.

    

About the Author

Tangerine Dream Live The Forum London 2008 – Opening Track

Garmin nüvi 275/275T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic $229.65 …