HERSCHEL CULTURAL TOUR TO ITALY & FRANCE – JUNE/JULY 2013
26 JUNE D DAY!
After months of anticipation, D day has eventually dawned and 29 girls, accompanied by parents, siblings & extended family gathered excitedly at Cape Town International airport this afternoon. I am travelling to France tonight with another group so was sadly not able to bid farewell to the Herschel girls, but please rest assured that all arrangements are firmly in place and a wonderfully enriching tour awaits! They are scheduled to arrive in Dubai at 05h25 tomorrow morning, thereafter connecting to Rome, where an ‘assistant’ will be waiting to greet & guide them to their accommodation. I will update the site as soon as I have found internet connectivity in Paris and have heard from the chaperones. A reminder that the emergency contact number for Mr Gouws is + 27 83 247 5991.Bon voyage to all…!
27 JUNE SAFE ARRIVAL!
I arrived in Paris this morning with my group and have not stopped for breath, so have only had the chance to load this lovely update from Aqeelah Esack now:"After having travelled from Cape Town to Dubai and from Dubai to Rome, we were really tired, but we were incredibly excited for what lay ahead. We all piled onto a bus and arrived at our hotel and shortly after we were greeted by our new tour guide, Serena, who taught us how to firstly use the subway in Rome and then took us (by subway) to visit the Spanish Steps and embassy building. We then walked through the city a little more and found the famous Trevi fountain, where we took many photos and had our chance to toss a coin into it. We learnt so much in such a short amount of time that we'd had in the city and then we returned to our hotels to freshen up for a fantastic dinner at a restaurant not too far down the road from our hotel. So far Rome has lived up to and exceeded our expectations and we all cannot wait to explore the city more in the next two days".
28 & 29 JUNE ALL HAPPY IN ROME!
I have received this short, but happy message from the chaprones: “We are having a fabulous time in Rome and all is going extremely well! The girls are absolutely amazing - we have no discipline problems and everyone is having a great time. Our designated tour guide for all our visits has been incredible, introducing us to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican City, the Sistene Chapel and all that this vibrant city has to offer”.This is their last evening in Rome as tomorrow they set off for Florence….
30 JUNE ONWARD TO FLORENCE!
Arrivederci Roma, as today the group travelled continued on to Florence - the Jewel of the Renaissance. After having settled into their hotel & freshened up, they had time to explore informally before visiting the Galleria dell’Accademia, where they marveled at Michelangelo’s famous statue of David and Boticelli’s Madonna & Child. They are all really looking forward to their time in Florence and a reminder that they will be staying at the Hotel de Lanzi - Tel: 00 39 055 288 043.
1 JULY AMAZING FIRENZE!
This morning the group met with their local guide for a walking tour of the old city centre, starting in front of the impressive Duomo Cathedral and then passing the Baptistry, whose bronze doors were designed by Ghiberti and deemed by Michelangelo to be the ‘Gates of Paradise! They passed the Uffizi Museum, with its priceless collection of Renaissance Art and admired the statues on the open air museums on the piazza della Signoria & the Loggia dei Lanzi, before walking to the Ponte Vecchio. They have really enjoyed their time in Florence and are looking forward to their next leg of the journey…
2 JULY ONWARD TO PORTOVENERE
Farewell to Florence and herewith a lovely report from the girls: “This morning we drove to Pisa, which was amazing! We had about 295 steps to climb and going up was scary because they were slippery, but coming down was easy! After lunch we got back on the bus and travelled to our hotel in Portovenere, which was stunning! When we arrived we all relaxed and some went to the beach, whilst others went to swim in the pool. We then had supper which was incredible and for starters we had pasta followed by a main meal of fish and for dessert we had mint ice-cream. We are really looking forward to tomorrow!” Mr Gouws also reports that all is going extremely well, saying that they have 'such a great group of girls, with no discipline issues at all - in fact the best group I have ever travelled with!' A reminder that the group is staying at the hotel ROYAL SPORTING Tel: 00 39 0187 790 326.
3 JULY A DAY IN CINQUE TERRE
What an incredible day in the charming Cinque Terre! Listed as a UNESCO World heritage site, this region comprises 5 small medieval villages on the Ligurian coast which boast some of the finest views on the Italian Riviera. This area is characterized by terraced vineyards, beautiful coves and houses clinging precariously to rock promontories, with colourful boats bobbing in the harbour below! I have just received this lovely update from Hannah and Kim: “For the first time this holiday we could wake up late and go enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast on the terrace next to the pool. We left the hotel at 9:30 and headed to the harbour to board a boat which took us to different fishing villages along the bay. The villages were very small but beautiful and we all enjoyed looking at the cute little shops and taking pictures by the sea. Unfortunately we could not walk along the via dell'Amore (lovers walk) as it was closed for reconstruction after the floods - the pictures of the devastation are horrifying. After a long day out we got back to our hotel and enjoyed relaxing by the pool until it was supper time!” With all these amenities afforded to them in such a luxurious hotel, they will no doubt be rather sad to leave tomorrow….!
4 JULY ONWARD TO FRANCE!
This morning all sadly bade farewell to their hotel in Portovenere as they hopped on board their coach bound for France. The scenery en route was spectacular and in Monaco they walked in the Princess Grace Gardens and viewed the Cathedral & Palace. They then continued on through Nice, the ‘Queen of the Riviera’ and in the late afternoon they arrived at their hotel in Antibes, which is a beautiful ancient walled city. A reminder that they will be staying at the hotel Le Collier for the next 3 nights - tel: 00 33 4 93 74 56 40.
5 JULY SUN, SEA & SAILING!
All woke up this morning to beautiful sunshine & clear blue skies on the Côte d’Azur and at 09h00 I met with the group at the central Place de Gaulle – how lovely to see such happy faces! Together we walked through the quaint vieille ville and at the marché provençal the girls were afforded some free time to explore. At lunch time I introduced them to their local guide who accompanied the group by coach to the Yacht Club in Villeneuve–Loubet. Here, under the tutorship of professional instructors, everyone enjoyed sailing on a catamaran on the calm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by some of the most incredible scenery on the French Riviera ~ what a real highlight for everyone!
6 JULY COACH EXCURSION TO EZE & NICE
This morning the group travelled by coach to Eze, where they visited the Fragonard Perfumery - they really enjoyed this and apparently the girls ‘shopped up a storm’! They then returned to Nice, known as the ‘Queen of the Riviera’ and at the newly revamped Place Masséna all were afforded some free time. Many headed off to enjoy the shopping on the Boulevard Jean Medecin, whilst others joined their guide on a stroll through the ‘old town’. It was a very hot day, so a swim in the calm azure blue waters was a real highlight, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery on the French Riviera! With a departure to Paris tomorrow, the evening was spent relaxing and preparing for their last leg…
7 JULY BIENVENUE A PARIS!
This morning all were transferred to Nice Cote d’Azur Airport, where they hopped on board their flight to Paris. After having relaxed and freshened up at the hotel, they embarked on their first metro experience to Montmartre, where they climbed the many steps to the beautiful basilica of Sacre Coeur. They then made their way to the Place du Tertre, where some girls had their portraits painted and a 3 course dinner was served in one of the most famous restaurants on the square, La Cremaillere. A reminder that the group will be staying for their last 3 nights in the hotel CAMPANILE LA VILLETTE Tel: 00 33 1 44 72 46 46.
8 JULY WHAT A FULL DAY IN PARIS!
I have received this lovely diary entry: “We started off our busy day with a guided tour of the Musée du Louvre, where we marveled over the most famous masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa. Afterwards we strolled through the Jardin des Tuileries to the Place de la Concorde and then we were given free time for retail therapy along the Champs Elysées! Laden with parcels, we met near the Arc de Triomphe and then we made our way towards the River Seine, where we enjoyed a leisurely cruise. We dined in the restaurant alongside the boats and after that we met our guide for our coach tour of Paris by Night. The ‘Illuminations’ were spectacular and at 23h00 we stood mesmerized under a sparkling Eiffel Tower, before ascending to the 2nd level where we were in awe of this enchanting City of Lights! We were exhausted when we returned to our hotel, but what a memorable day!”
9 JULY A WONDERFUL DAY AT DISNEYLAND PARIS!
After breakfast all excitedly hopped on board the RER and made their way to Disneyland Paris: “The day was full of fun rides such as Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and the Indiana Jones themed roller coaster, Ben and Jerry's ice cream and almost everybody in Mickey Mouse shaped ears! The sights were amazing and one of the highlights of the day would definitely be meeting Disney characters - Tigger, Jack Sparrow and Mickey Mouse. The day was truly wonderful and a great experience! With love from a very happy group of Herschel girls!”
10 JULY FOND FAREWELLS!
Today marks the final day of the tour and by all accounts everyone has had a wonderful time! After breakfast they will leave their luggage in the ‘bagagerie’ and travel to l’Ile de la Cité to see the magnificent cathedral of Notre Dame. They will then have time to stroll through the Quartier Latin for a few final souvenirs and at 17h00 their coach will transfer the group to Roissy Charles de Gaulle. I have confirmed their return flights and they will depart Paris on EK076 @ 21h50, arriving at Cape Town International on EK770 @ 16h25 tomorrow, Thursday 11 July. Whilst everyone is really looking forward to returning to South Africa to see family and friends, all will be left with a sense of sadness at having to say farewell to people they have grown so accustomed to seeing on a daily basis. All will undoubtedly be exhausted upon arrival and whilst the many wonderful anecdotes may not immediately be forthcoming, they will I know reveal themselves in the days, months and even years to come! To act ‘in loco parentis’ is no mean task and your children have been very privileged to have travelled with 3 highly competent chaperones. Mr Jan Gouws, Mrs Nicky Karstens and Mrs Michelle van Schalkwyk formed the most formidable team, going far beyond the call of duty to ensure that your girls were well cared for, happy and safe. I admire & applaud their calm perspective, sense of fun and professionalism ~ they have been a pleasure to work with and their dedication, energy and enthusiasm have been inspirational. They have really enjoyed travelling with this group and have been impressed by their impeccable behaviour, basking in reflected glory at all the compliments received along the way - they have been fine ambassadors for both their school and South Africa! As parents you can rest assured that you have afforded your children the most wonderful opportunity and I have no doubt that each and every girl will return not only academically enriched, but enriched as a person, having matured and grown in confidence and the precious memories & firm bonds of friendships will last a lifetime. It has been a joy and privilege for me to once again be associated with Herschel School and it remains for me to say ‘mer ci beaucoup, bon retour et à la prochaine!’