Jun – Jul 2024

Europe 2024

Eman and I are exploring Europe with Michigan Musicians. Read more

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Trip start
June 21, 2024
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- Day 1–7
- June 21, 2024 at 11:26 AM - June 27, 2024
- 6 nights
- ☁️ 28 °C
- Altitude: 210 m
- United States Shook Drain 42.208237, -83.35726642°12’30” N 83°21’26” W
Detroit Airport
Jun 21–27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Bags are packed! Time to fly to London!
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- Day 2
- Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 9:55 PM
- 🌙 18 °C
- Altitude: 15 m
- England Kensington Square Garden 51.499121, -0.19187351°29’57” N 0°11’31” W
Windsor
June 22, 2024 in England ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
After flying through the night, we went straight to Windsor. We explored the town and visited the Windsor Palace.
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- Day 2
- Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 9:59 PM
- 🌙 18 °C
- Altitude: 15 m
- England Kensington Square Garden 51.499177, -0.19164351°29’57” N 0°11’30” W
Kensington
June 22, 2024 in England ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
We finally made it to our hotel in Kensington, had a nice dinner and took a walk to Kensington Park/Castle.
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- Day 3
- Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 3:00 PM
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- England The Tower of London 51.50812, -0.07622251°30’29” N 0°4’34” W
Tower of London
June 23, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
We spent a few hours exploring the Tower of London. We saw the armor King Henry VIII wore and torture devices (Eman's favorite part), and climbed through the towers.
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- Day 3
- Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM
- ☁️ 24 °C
- Altitude: 32 m
- England Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain 51.509792, -0.13442951°30’35” N 0°8’4” W
Free time in London
June 23, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
After the tower, we had time to 'glide' around London and enjoy dinner at Hard Rock (Piccadilly). We made our traditional stop at the M&M store and walked through Chinatown (it was soooo crowded in both areas).

We rode an Uber back to the hotel - it is so odd having the driver on the opposite side of the car.Read more
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- Day 3
- Sunday, June 23, 2024
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- England Nelson's Column 51.507446, -0.12776551°30’27” N 0°7’40” W
Tour with Trudy
June 23, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
A tour of London with Trudy, the best tour guide ever! We saw Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, changing of the guards, and Westminster Abbey. And learned new phrases like: Bob's your uncle.
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- Day 4
- Monday, June 24, 2024
- ⛅ 27 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- England Nelson's Column 51.507446, -0.12776551°30’27” N 0°7’40” W
Concert Day & Hamilton
June 24, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
The morning began with a prayer service and choir concert at Wesley Chapel. (We are also traveling with a choir.) The chapel was built by John Wesley and renamed after his death.

In the afternoon, we had sack lunches and the band held an outdoor concert in the Victoria Embarkment Gardens. They did a great job as we all melted under the sun. (Note: Lunches both days were sack lunches prepared for us... sandwiches have bread, meat, and butter. That is something I will not be trying at home.) For dinner, we hit a ramen place called Bone Daddies. Great food, great service.

Then.... Hamilton! The play was amazing! The cast and music were amazing! I would happily watch again.

We took the tube to get back to the hotel.Read more
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, June 25, 2024
- ☀️ 29 °C
- Altitude: 87 m
- France Gare de Paris-Montparnasse 48.838372, 2.32092748°50’18” N 2°19’15” E
Travel Day (London to Paris)
June 25, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Bus, ferry, bus...
Today was a long travel day, but the ferry was a mini-cruise and the weather was beautiful. Our hotel is fancy (Eman, don't get used to this). To use the elevator, you scan your room key outside the elevators, it tells you which elevator to take and you push no buttons. The card is also your power to the room. You put it in the reader to turn on the lights. When you take your key to leave, everything shuts off.

After dinner, a mom-friend and I had drinks at the hotel bar (the rooftop bar had a private party).Read more
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- Day 6
- Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 33 m
- France Eiffel Tower 48.85826, 2.29450148°51’30” N 2°17’40” E
The Eiffel Tower
June 26, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
I would have never imagined I would see the Eiffel Tour in person. It was a great adventure....hot, but worth it. We took the elevator to the second floor, saw the views, visited the gift store and had a crepe.

The Eiffel Tower is dressed in Olympic rings and we saw many of the places athletes will be competing in a few weeks.Read more
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- Day 6
- Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 8:00 PM
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 34 m
- France Eglise Saint-Christophe-en-la-Cité 48.853495, 2.34839148°51’13” N 2°20’54” E
River Cruise
June 26, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
The best way to see Paris is on a cruise down the river!
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- Day 6
- Wednesday, June 26, 2024
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 77 m
- France Gare de Paris-Montparnasse 48.838783, 2.32066948°50’20” N 2°19’14” E
Paris Tour
June 26, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
We took a bus tour of Paris that included passing by the Louve and Notre Dame, and trip inside the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. It was beautiful inside the cathedral.

Fun fact - the traffic in Paris is absolutely crazy. There are no lines and about 8 lanes of traffic, plus motorcycles, bikes and pedestrians. Our bus driver, Hans, is amazing. (Red, bus, best bus... ignore that out bus is actually the color green. Lol)Read more
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- Day 7
- Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 10:00 PM
- ☁️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 34 m
- France Eglise Saint-Christophe-en-la-Cité 48.853495, 2.34839148°51’13” N 2°20’54” E
Night Lights
June 27, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
A late night metro ride to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up.

Eman was feeling photogenic...
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- Day 7
- Thursday, June 27, 2024
- ☁️ 30 °C
- Altitude: 78 m
- France Grez-sur-Loing 48.31773, 2.67386748°19’4” N 2°40’26” E
Fontainebleau (France)
June 27, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Today we went to Fontainebleau to visit a castle, explore, and perform. It was sooo hot, we only had one kid go down during the concert and many in rough shape after. Thankfully, the choir concert that was after the band concert, was in a church.Read more
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- Day 8
- Friday, June 28, 2024
- ⛅ 25 °C
- Altitude: 1,245 m
- Switzerland Villars-sur-Ollon 46.294965, 7.05584646°17’42” N 7°3’21” E
Road to Switzerland
June 28, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
The drive to Switzerland took most of the day, but the journey was beautiful and the views where we are staying are amazing. And, our room is super cute (even though everyone else has balconies 😢).

Send some good vibes to Eman, he's had stomach issues all day.Read more
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- Day 9
- Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 10:00 AM
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 805 m
- Switzerland Huémoz 46.282824, 7.02538446°16’58” N 7°1’31” E
Chillon Castle & Concerts
June 29, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
We had the morning off (which was a great time for Eman to recover and to get laundry done). We went down the mountain to see the Chillon Castle, on the shore of Lake Geneva. After the castle, a walk to Montreux.

In the evening, we walked up a mountain to hold a band and choir concert. They did a fantastic job!!

PS- I didn't realize how many stairs castles have...every day is 'legs day' in a castle!!Read more
Very cool! WOW, I can leave a comment! Glad to hear Eman had a day to recoup!! [Patti]
7/1/24Reply
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- Day 10
- Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 1:01 PM
- ☁️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 1,247 m
- Switzerland Villars-sur-Ollon 46.294892, 7.05600846°17’42” N 7°3’22” E
Change of Plans
June 30, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
When we loaded the buses at 7:45 am, we thought we were going to the Matterhorn. Not so much. An hour into our drive, we found the road was flooded, so we had to turn back. (Hans can only do so much with our bus.)

We were given the option to take a train up our mountain, so we took it. (Just in case we haven't taken enough stairs in the last week, throw in mountain climbing for fun.) It was cloudy, but still a great time (minus Eman falling in the mud). When we got back, our town was in a cloud.

For dinner, we went back to the sports complex (where the concerts were) for fondue and a band (with two accordions!!). Then, ended with moms & wine on the patio.Read more
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- Day 11
- Monday, July 1, 2024
- ☁️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 467 m
- Liechtenstein Postmuseum des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 47.139286, 9.52279647°8’21” N 9°31’22” E
Lichtenstein to Austria
July 1, 2024 in Liechtenstein ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Today we hit countries 4 & 5 of our trip. We stopped in Lichtenstein for lunch (to make the country count). We shared a yummy strawberry treat that includes croissant and a cream/pudding filling. I chose the restaurant just because it is the incorrect way to pronounce Eman. As you can see, Eman was very impressed.

Then, to Austria.

Our hotel is super cute and comes with a mountain view on our balcony - we just need to watch out for the ceiling. For dinner, our bus schnitzel at a local restaurant, then a walk through town.Read more
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- Day 12
- Tuesday, July 2, 2024
- ☁️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 588 m
- Austria Innsbruck 47.264832, 11.39540947°15’53” N 11°23’43” E
Innsbruck & Concert
July 2, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Today we traveled to Innsbruck, a busy little city with cute shops. Our first stop was to a basilica where the choir sang a few songs for us. Then, to a sports complex with a ski jump used in the Olympics. (I didn't realize you could use a ski jump without snow, but they do by wetting it with sprinklers. It was pretty cool to watch, but did not inspire me to take up ski jumping.)

Our next stop in Innsbruck was to a Swarovski store. Eman and I found many treasures we will include on our Christmas wish list. My top choice is a 20,000 euro elephant family.

While out shopping, Eman found the best souvenir ever (pictures will be added after he gets to show it off).

Our evening concert was in the park, with the Alps as a backdrop. After the concert we took group photos. The larger group is the band (the choir took theirs later), the smaller is our bus group (missing a few parents who didn't have the performance shirt).

A few of the songs:
https://youtu.be/_ZGcuh4busI?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/T2AMsXXjx80?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/XRIvIa6I-7I?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/Ag3WDZJokHw?feature=sharedRead more
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- Day 13
- Wednesday, July 3, 2024
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 434 m
- Austria Domgrabungsmuseum 47.798135, 13.04648147°47’53” N 13°2’47” E
A Day in Salzburg, Austria
July 3, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Today we took a day trip to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. We had a guided tour of the historic area and lunch in the city.

All 3 nights in Seefeld, we had dinner at a local restaurant called L5. The first night - schnitzel, second - spaghetti, and tonight salisbury steak and mashed potatoes.Read more
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- Day 14
- Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 10:00 AM
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 473 m
- Germany Dachau concentration camp 48.270747, 11.46822748°16’15” N 11°28’6” E
Concentration Camp in Dachau, Germany
July 4, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
A trip to Dachau concentration camp was not how most spent the 4th of July. It was an eye opening experience - that people could do that to other people is so unfathomable.
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- Day 14
- Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 8:33 PM
- ☀️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 455 m
- Germany Wörnitz Gate 49.069251, 10.32122249°4’9” N 10°19’16” E
Our arrival in Dinkelsbühl, Germany
July 4, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Our last stop was in the historic old town, Dinkelsbühl. It was like an authentic Frankenmuth, though less Christmas stuff.

Our hotel was 15 minutes (uphill) outside of the historic downtown and looked like it belonged in Vegas. But, the breakfasts and dinners there were great (think charcuterie/smorgasbord).

Our first evening, we went on a tour of old town with a local tour guide. Something we didn't expect to see... Storks!! They nest within the gates of old town (not outside the gates) and are huge! We found many buildings with huge nests and 'babies' on the peaks of buildings.Read more
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- Day 16
- Saturday, July 6, 2024
- ☁️ 24 °C
- Altitude: 439 m
- Germany Small Roundel 49.069231, 10.32234849°4’9” N 10°19’20” E
Our last day in Europe
July 6, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
We had a leisure morning to explore the town and go out for lunch. Of course we had to try traditional bratwursts, which didn't disappoint.

In the afternoon, we had our final concerts. The band performed outside, thankfully in the shade this time. It was nice to see a good crowd of people from town clapping to The Stars and Stripes Forever (just a day late).

That evening, we had dinner at the hotel and a farewell 'party'...it wasn't a party, but thanked all the leaders and gave us the instructions to leave the next morning (2:45am alarms set!) It also gave us time to take pictures with my bus seat snuggle buddy, Stacey and her son Bruce.

Things learned: it's easier to get wine than water in Europe, and if you get water, it will be sparkling unless you specifically ask for still water. And, it was soooo hard to find toilets, and you had to pay to use them. (Germany was the exception to this.) I will also be checking for my passport everytime I get in a bus.

Spoiler alert: we made it home with put any delays!

Song Videos:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ucDRNTgpbxZ9pk…

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0g_0HjXT8OU…Read more
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Trip end
July 6, 2024