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Tour: Sustainable Mobility And Ecological Tourism In European Destinations...

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European Express: A Rapid Transit Tour through England, France, Austria and Germany.

Join E: The Environmental Magazine Editor Jim Motavalli on a personally guided 13-day visit to Europe. Learn more about green transportation and new urbanism, based largely on Motavalli's new book, Breaking Gridlock: Moving Toward Transportation That Works(Sierra Club Books).

Meet with environmental leaders, visit car-free green cities and national parks, travel on ultra-fast European trains and enjoy stimulating discussion about sustainable living.

Throughout the trip, you will be exposed to the latest developments and research of sustainable living initiatives. Meet with representatives from UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program), BMW, the Mayor of a small Austrian town, and others.

In France, when one talks about the environment, almost systematically, the name of La Rochelle comes to mind; such is the desire to create a certain quality of urban life and preserve the charm of La Rochelle while becoming a model for cities of the future. The municipality's commitment has logically led the town to promote electric cars, electric trucks and electric trams.

In Austria, the vacation community of Werfenweng (near Salzburg) was chosen along with Bad Hofgastein as an Austrian model community for Sustainable Mobility, which roughly translates into "Car-Free Tourism." Visitors are encouraged to travel to Bad Hofgastein using public transportation. In return, vacationers are offered a well-connected public transportation system and may use electric vehicles or bicycles for their individual transportation needs.




Please note: because trip highlights can be subject to change, please contact one of our trip specialists to discuss the specifics as they will pertain to your trip.

DAY 1 | Flight
Travel from USA to London. All travelers arrive at their respective International airports at least two and half-hours prior to the departure time. Check in and overnight on the plane.


DAY 2 | London
Arrival in London, transfer to the hotel. Rest, relax, or explore London. We recommend a walking tour to get the juices flowing. In the evening, a welcome dinner has been arranged for all members to get to know each other. Overnight stay.


DAY 3 | London to Paris
Transfer from the hotel to London Waterloo station. Experience an underwater train ride "below" the Channel, through "the Chunnel." The four-hour train tour with the ?Eurostar? will bring you to Paris Gare du Nord. Transfer to the Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.


DAY 4 | Paris
In the morning: Meeting with OECD�s - Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Dr. Peter Wiederkehr. Presentation of �EST�- Environmental Sustainable Transport and European Ecological Tourism. Half day free in Paris for sightseeing. Evening Dinner and meeting with Oliver Hillel of UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme. Overnight stay.


DAY 5 | Paris to La Rochelle
Transfer to Paris Montparnasse Station. Ride the �TGV� (Train � grande vitesse � fastest train in Europe) to the city of La Rochelle. Afternoon is free to explore La Rochelle on your own. Dinner and overnight stay.


DAY 6 | La Rochelle
Presentation of La Rochelle�s efforts in urban ecology: �A green town � Elcidis (Electric City Distribution System)." Dinner and overnight stay.


DAY 7 | La Rochelle to Paris -Paris to Munich
Morning free for independent activities. In the afternoon a train tour with the TGV back to Paris. Afternoon free to explore Paris on your own. After dinner you are transferred to the train station for a night train (Orient Express) from Paris to Munich. Overnight on the train.


DAY 8 | Munich
You arrive in the morning and are transferred to your hotel. Later in the morning, presentation of BMW�s effor ts focusing on �green mobility and alternative energy." In the afternoon a presentation of ECOTrans and a visit to Ecolabels and Awards in Tourism in Europe. Dinner and overnight stay.


DAY 9 | Munich to Werfenweng
Depart from Munich to Bischofshofen by train. Transfer to the city iof Werfenweng, Austria - a model community for sustainable mobility � car free tourism. Welcome by the mayor of Werfenweng and a presentation of the model community including test drives with electric vehicles. Dinner and overnight stay.


DAY 10 | Werfenweng
Transfer by bus and excursion to the �Nationalpark Hohe Tauern� � National Park. A presentation of the National Park: coherence of tourism and environmental protection. Presentation of the Austrian Ecolabel for hotels at the �Dorfhotel Werfenweng� (Member of Austrian Ecolabel for hotels). Dinner and overnight stay.


DAY 11 | Bad Hofgastein
Depart Werfenweng to Bad Hofgastein by bus (approximately 45 minutes). This is the 2nd model-community in Austria. In Bad Hofgastein a presentation of the local approach focusing on sustainable mobility and local passenger transport. Possibility for a visit in the famous �Thermentempel," the wellness and spa-center of Bad Hofgastein. Dinner and overnight stay.


DAY 12 | Bad Hofgastein
Free time for independent activities. (We can recommend a guided hiking tour or visit to the electric vehicles.) Dinner and overnight stay.


DAY 13 | Bad Hofgastein to Munich Airport
You will be transferred from Bad Hofgastein to Munich Airport for your return flight to USA.





   
   
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12 Nights / 13 Days

Min. group size: 12
Max. group size: 18

Price:
From $2,605.00 PP/DBL.
No single supplement. Prices are per person based on double occupancy.
Comfort level: 1

Physical difficulty: 1

This trip is best suited for:
Most everyone

Departure Dates:
Please call us with your travel dates to arrange your departure.

Rates include
Accommodation on double sharing in 3-4 star eco friendly properties in cities as listed in the itinerary
Continental breakfast and dinners included throughout the tour. No dinner on Day 13th and Day 15th
Local transportation in a 20 seater coach and 2 suitcases included.
Local airfare as mentioned in the itineraryServices of one Manaca Representative throughout the tour to help co-ordinate the meetings and travel
Honarium of $100.00 per person to be paid to Jim Motavalli

Rates do not include
Lunches and gratuities
No alcoholic beverages
International airfare
Optional excursions

Key attractions
London
Paris
La Rochelle
Orient Express
Munich
Werfenweng
Bad Hofgastein




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