Stargazer II – G’Astronomy

For scientists and star-gazers.

Stargazer II – G’Astronomy
May 22- June 6
Cost: $8350
Who: Thrive Travel
Contact: marnie@fredwatson.com.au For more information visit the website.


Join Fred Watson and David Mailin on this luxury journey through Europe. There is ample opportunity to learn about the history of the telescope whilst meandering around some of the more romantic and quaint corners of Europe in Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland and France. It’s first class all the way as we visit some of Fred’s colleagues across the continent, including a special tour of the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva.

DAY 1    - BERLIN
We’ll launch ourselves into the historical part of the tour with a visit to the fascinating Pergamon Museum one of the world’s best collections of Eastern and Islamic art and historical pieces.

DAY 2 - POTSDAM
A trip to historic Potsdam, the magnificent Cecilienhof and a visit to Sans Souci Palace with our afternoon in the Astrophysical Institute Potsdam Facility and a visit to the Potsdam Observatory.

DAY 3 - BERLIN
Zeiss Planetarium before a local expert shows off this reunited city. (Tiergarten (zoo,) Reichstag building, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and drive along the Unter den Linden.)

DAY 4 – BERLIN TO PRAGUE
We leave early for Prague via Leipzig and Dresden. In Dresden our local guide takes us on a walking tour, introducing us to the Frauenkirche now rising once again after wartime destruction.                                            

DAY 5 - PRAGUE
Our local guide will show us the 1000-year-old Hradcany Castle, St Vitus Cathedral and the Old Town ending at the Astronomical Clock in Wenceslas Square. Visit Tyn Church and Tycho Brahe’s tombstone.                                    

DAY 6 - PRAGUE TO REGENBSURG
Regensburg and Kepler’s Museum, the Danube and the  Walhalla. Dinner with the astronomical society of Regensburg - one of the oldest astronomical societies in the world.

DAY 7 - REGENSBURG
Walk us through the streets of crooked houses and some of the religious and political history that makes Regensburg worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage listing.

DAY 8 - REGENSBURG TO MUNICH TO STRASBOURG
Munich and the fascinating Deutches Museum. We will visit Ulm, the birthplace of Einstein, before lunching and then meandering into France to our hotel in Strasbourg.                     

DAY 9 - STRASBOURG
A city tour of Strasbourg - Gothic Cathedral with its astronomical clock and gives us time to stroll amid the tranquil waterways of Petite France. Strasbourg Observatory has kindly opened their doors for a visit.                            

DAY 10 - WINE EXCURSION STRASBOURG TO SWISS ALPS
Alsatian 'wine-road,'  fine vineyards and colourful half-timbered houses decked with geraniums. In Riquewihr, home of Riesling Wine and Kugelhupf Cake we visit a winery.

DAY 11 - SWISS ALPS
It’s not every day you get to visit the Large Hadron Collider but today will be the day for you! TGV gets us in to Paris about 4 hours after our departure.

DAY 12 - STRASBOURG TO PARIS
Highlights of Paris - Notre Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde, the drive up the Champs Elysees to the Arch de Triomphe followed by a visit at the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum.

DAY 13 - PARIS
Day at leisure in Paris.                                    

DAY 14 – PARIS
Loire Valley, and we have time to soak up the Garden of France and the Cradle of the French Language in Orleans and Tours, (radio) observatory near the small town of Nancay.

DAY 15 – OBSERVATORIES PARIS
Paris Observatory is France’s most ancient scientific institution. Special guide Dominique Proust. Monet’s garden and then farewell dinner .
                                
DAY 16 DEPART PARIS