Bert and Arlene Lachner are on an extended research trip through Austria, Switzerland and Germany, by air, rail, River Cruise, Motor Coach and rental car. Staying in 7 hotels and with family. 

It is said that the Central European countries are booming, and we like to know why?  What are they doing that we are not?

Answers when we return....
Happy Labor Day!

Great weather, delicious food and beer - the Dachshund Races were hilarious. Also the Trachten Schau (Ethnic Costume Show) very interesting.  Saw the model Rail Road running in the Culture Village, got a new road map of Germany, and a beautiful dress shirt embroidered down the front.

Mostly enjoyed meeting old and new friends, at the festival grounds by Lake Michigan and at the Church Service - in English and German - on Sunday morning. It was their 30th Anniversary celebration, but will be back next year.

Germans and Europeans know how to celebrate in style. More from Bert at 630 558-8900. 

China is booming and welcomes visitors from all over the world.  Germans, Europeans and Americans are the most popular.  See Beijing, the capital with the old palaces and gardens and the new buildings. The hordes of bike riders in the city, and the peaceful countryside.

The Great Wall of China is something to see, wear your most comfortable shoes.  In Xiang, the ancient capital city, you will awe at hundreds of Terra Cotta Warriors.  The romantic Lee River with its traditional fishermen near Gulin in the South and the river cruise down the Yangtze, passed the Three-Gorge Dam, are wonderful experiences.  Finish voyage in modern Shanghai, overwhelming - a once in a life time tour.


Call us for details, departures, discounts and documentation: Kathy at 630 653-1960, e-mail: traveletc@hotmail.com or see www.bertsbandwagon.com

Travel is my passion: I am thinking now and planning a group trip to the Oktoberfest in
Blumenau, Brazil. It is the second largest outside of Munich, Germany, and it runs in
October, with bands from Germany and Austria,and 50 bands from Brazil. That just
shows you how many German Brazilians there must be.

 

We would fly into Sao Paulo, continue to Curitiba and from there 290 km = 180 miles to

Blumenau. Many German Brasilians live and work in the area, and in Curitiba they build

a Brazilian Volkswagen. There are many German Brazilian Clubs and Societies in the

immediate vicinity, just like Chicagoland. Some landmarks are Schwarzwald Restaurant in

Ciritiba, a historic colonist museum in Pomerode, Rodeio has a trout farm and a fine menu.

Parque Timbo is a wonderful forest preserve with South American fauna and wildlife. But best

of all are the beer and festivities at the famous Oktoberfest in Blumenau, SC Brazil. Cost, all

inclusive $ 2,500 per person.

 

Call Bertsbandwagon at 630 558-8900, e-mail bertlachner@aol.com or see us on the WEB

www.bertsbandwagon.com.

Closer to home, we celebrate German Fest on Milwaulkee's Lakefront, coming up
July 23 to 25, 2010, open at 12 noon.

Easy to find, from Hwy 94, follow the signs to Meier's Festival Park. 100,000 people, folks

and families attend each year and enjoy German, Austrian and Swiss food and beverages

like sausages, pork shanks, cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, schwasrzwaelder torte. A

boy from the seashore, I like matjes hering! And of course, plenty of beer and wine, and

lots of music, old and new, on several bandstands and stages. The smell in the air, the 

color of costumes and flags, the dirndl dresses and lederhosen, everywhere, and with the

sunshine and breeze from Lake Michigan, it is a site to behold. The culture village has

Newspapers, maps and brochures from Germany and its neighbors, genealogy to find

you ancestors, history and geology, handcrafted wood and iron, glass blowing and weaving,

a model rail road and children singing to the visitor's delight. Don't miss German Fest this

year, it's very special!, bring a friend and your camera and wear a hat and a big smile.

Welcome!     

Advance tickets are $ 10., at the gate $13. Students and seniors enter at $ 7. and children

are free with parents. Check it out www.germanfest.com Call Bert at 630 558-8900, e-mail

bertlachner@aol.com, or see our WEB Site www.bertsbandwagon.com, it's alive!

Viking River Cruises and Avalon Waterways are both

expert river cruise operators with comfortable accommodations,

new river boats and an excellent selection of food and entertainment

in Europe, also Egypt and China.

River Cruising has it's own charm, with fewer passengers on board,

all outside staterooms with a view of the shoreline, and an intimate

atmosphere in the dining room. A feeling of being connected with

the world is the special attraction.

These River Cruise often offer the opportunity to tour back to back

segments, making the travel to the departure port very economical.

Talking costs, some legs, especially in Europe offer 2 for 1 deals,

some with help on international air fare.

Please inquire with our office, call Kathy 630 653-1960, she has all

and up-to-date information at her fingertips, e-mail traveletc@hotmail.com   

or see our live and colorful WEB Site www.bertsbandwagon.com

Our next European tour is to Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and

Germany.  Our small group will fly to Vienna for 3 nights, take a river

cruise to Melk up the Danube River, then visit Salzburg, the land of

Sound of Music, ritzy St. Moritz, a ride on the Glacier Express from

Chur to Zermatt, a cog wheel train ride up majestic Matterhorn mountain  

Back to Vaduz, Liechtenstein and via Innsbruck and Neuschwanstein

Castle to Oberammergau, to see this year's Passion Play. The tour

ends in Munich, where we will rent cars to see family and friends.

Arlene and my trip will end with the Reunion of my High School class,

graduation year 1952. 

Traveling ourselves keeps us aware of latest tour and travel options,

and knowledgeable about wonderful destinations. For detailed info,

brochures and departures call our office, Kathy at 630 653-1960 or

e-mail traveletc@hotmail.com or bertlachner@aol.com See our live

WEB Site www.bertsbandwagon,com  It's a good start!