Our Next Adventure will take you to

Amsterdam and Paris, with a RHINE RIVER CRUISE

September 28 – October 9, 2020

$3,985.00 Land Tour only*               $5,120.00 with estimated airfare from BOSTON

Tour Code: 221125

Registration is filling up!  Registrations are being accepted until 10 April 2020 or until the tour is full - whichever comes first.

Register at: https://eatours.com

On September 28th you will depart Boston to begin your European adventure, landing in the timeless city of Amsterdam on September 29th, and discovering the treasures of this city. Fantastic excursions, cultural encounters, preserved historical sites, delicious foods and wonderful shopping make this trip exciting and rewarding. Bring these memories home with you on October 9th.

If you have any questions regarding your proposed tour, please do not hesitate to contact Brother Patrick Craddock, directly at: patrick@craftsmansapron.com.

We are excited about this opportunity and hope to be given this chance to work closely with you and other interested Brothers!

I have had a few questions regarding the trip and will attempt to address each of them at the bottom of this page. I have also added a few travel suggestions to make life easier. 

SPACE ON YOUR TOUR IS LIMITED, SO DON’T DELAY! PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AND $500 DEPOSIT BEFORE 10 APRIL 2020 TO INSURE YOUR SPACE ON THIS FANTASTIC TOUR!

Itinerary:

Amsterdam

On September 29th, you will arrive in Amsterdam to begin your European adventure. A highlight of this day will be a panorama city tour* before checking into your hotel. In the afternoon a visit to the Rijksmuseum* is planned followed by time to explore “Old Amsterdam” on your own. Built on a network of centuries-old canals, Amsterdam is a delightful city. The largest and most cosmopolitan city of the Netherlands, it is also the diamond-cutting capital of the world. A full day excursion to Delft* and Rotterdam* is scheduled for September 30th.

Holland and the Romantic Rhine Valley Cruise on Gerard Schmitter

At 6:00 PM you board your ship for a 6 night cruise (see itinerary below Special Tour Conditions) beginning with a welcome cocktail get-together before dinner and followed by an optional Canal Boat Cruise. On October 1st, an optional morning guided tour of Amsterdam is offered by the cruise ship. Some points of interest that you may see are the Flower Market, Dam Square and Rembrandt Square. In the afternoon you may choose to enjoy an optional excursion offered by your cruise company to the villages of Zaanse Schans and Volendam. Your ship will cruise to Nijmegen through the night. An extra benefit while on the cruise includes wine, beer, soft drinks and open bar (excluding Champagne and premium drinks) while on board the ship. The morning of October 2nd, an optional shore excursion to Kroller Muller Museum featuring works by Van Gogh is offered. On October 3rd, you cruise to Cologne where an afternoon guided city tour* is planned. Points of interest that you will see include the Cologne Cathedral*. October 4th, finds you cruising to Rudesheim. Your cruise ship offers an afternoon shore excursion which includes wine tasting and the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments by tourist train. A guided tour of Heidelberg and its Castle are the features of October 5th. This evening a Gala Farewell Dinner* on board ship is planned. On October 6th, you arrive in Strasbourg and depart the ship.

Strasbourg and Paris

Upon disembarking on October 6th, you will be met and enjoy a guided city tour* of Strasbourg before you travel to Paris, one of the most beautiful cities in the world! On October 7th, enjoy a guided panoramic city tour*, where you will see famous landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees and Place de la Concord. Dedicate the afternoon to exploring the Masonic Museum*. Ascending the Eiffel Tower* is planned for the evening. October 8th is a free day. Places you may choose to explore are the Louvre (the world’s largest art museum), housing such legends as the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory and the Mona Lisa, Sacre Coeur, or simply enjoying the ambience of the Parisian Boulevards. The following morning, October 9th, you will return to the United States with fond memories, amazing experiences and perhaps a souvenir or two from your European adventure.

Cruise Departure Times

Please note, the following cruise departure times is subject to change or alteration, which is determined and operated by Croisi Europe Cruises, and is beyond the control of EA Tours and The Craftsman’s Apron Tours.

Boat : GERARD SCHMITTER

September 30 to October 06, 2020

Depart From	Date	Time	Arrive to	Arrival Date	Time/Duration
Amsterdam	1/10/2020	23:00	Nijmegen	2/10/2020	7:30 / 06H
Nijmegen	2/10/2020	13:00	Krefeld	2/10/2020	22:30 / 08H
Krefeld	3/10/2020	6:00	Koln	3/10/2020	14:00 / 03H
Koln	3/10/2020	17:00	Koenigswinter	3/10/2020	21:00 / 07H
Koenigswinter	4/10/2020	4:00	Rudesheim	4/10/2020	16:00 / 12H
Rudesheim	5/10/2020	4:00	Manheim	5/10/2020	12:00 / 06H
Manheim	05/10/2020	18:00	Strasbourg	6/10/2020	9:00 / 15H

 

If purchased prior to departure, the combined costs for ALL optional excursions offered by the cruise line, as stated in the detailed itinerary on front page, is $250.00. You will be given an opportunity to purchase these excursions optionally on your final invoice. Or, you can purchase the excursions on an individual basis (subject to availability) on board the ship.

(TCA Travels reserves the right to tweak this Itinerary to accommodate special functions.)

 

Price:

The tour price, if payments are made by cash or check, is $5,120.00; otherwise, if paying by credit card, the standard non-discounted price is $5,221.00. The Land Only prices are $3,985.00 (paid by check) and if paying by credit card (nondiscounted) is $4,085.00. If you wish to use a credit card for your initial deposit, you will be allowed to pay the remaining payments by check and still receive the discounted tour price. Included are the estimated applicable governmental international airline ticket taxes, fuel surcharges, security surcharges, and associated fees if choosing the air inclusive package. If applicable, unforeseen tax increases will be billed on a supplemental invoice. A minimum number of paying participants may be required to operate the tour

A $500.00 non-refundable initial deposit is required to reserve your space on this tour. All tour participants must submit an online application. Please go to “Student/Traveler Sign Up” on the home page at www.EAtours.com. Your tour number is 221125. A second payment of $1000.00, will be due no later than 30 days after your initial payment. Final payments are due no later than seventy (70) days before departure. A minimum number of paying participants may be required to operate the tour.

Trip price is based on double occupancy and includes round trip airfare from Boston (including airfare option), point-to point transportation between cities while in Europe, 6 night cruise on the Gerard Schmitter. Cabin level is not guaranteed and will be best available at the time you register. All breakfasts are included, 5 lunches and 6 dinners (all meals that are included are those on the cruise ship.) Additionally, *Entrance fees and/or transportation marked with an asterisk as well as city tours in Cologne, Strasbourg, and Paris are included in the tour price as well as the Rijksmuseum, excursions to Delft and Rotterdam, Cologne Cathedral, Masonic Museum and Eiffel Tower.

Updated tour details (hotels, day by day itinerary, etc.) are scheduled to be released approximately four weeks prior to departure. Please note: Additional tour conditions apply and are listed in the Tour Conditions Section on the Online Application.

Additional items may be offered optionally, are subject to availability and are not included in the tour price. A guaranteed single room may be available for a supplemental charge of $1045.00

In the unlikely event that EA Tours cancels the tour and is unable to operate a substitute itinerary, the tour cost sans the initial deposit is fully refundable.

 

Registration Deadlines and Tour’s Web Page information:

Registration for this tour is made through this web page:

https://eatours.com

Enter the Tour Code: 221125

Registration Deadlines:

Registration opens: 21 September 2019

Final Payment due no later than: 20 July 2020

Details and Fine Print:

The tour price includes the following:

• Hotel accommodations for each night in a tourist, superior tourist or first class rated hotel based on 2 persons to a room.
• Meals and beverages beyond those listed above are the responsibility of the individual traveler and each client should budget accordingly.
• Sightseeing as indicated on the itinerary including visits and entrance fees.
• Tour participants may request a guaranteed a single person room for a supplemental charge of $1045.00. However, this request must be in writing and is subject to availability.
• Mailing of promotional materials from our office.
• EA Tours travel aids (i.e. security pouches, luggage tags, trip information packet, etc.)
• INCLUDED are the estimated applicable governmental international airline ticket taxes and associated fees. Taxes and fees are charged by governmental agencies, are subject to change and is beyond the control of TCA and EA Tours.

The tour price is based on entrance fees, tariffs, (if applicable). If applicable, international currency exchange rates and governmental regulations are in effect at the time of pricing and may be subject to change. If exchange rates, entrance fees or other included items are higher when it is time to finalize the tour, any increases to operate the tour will either be reflected on the final invoice or will be billed on a separate invoice with an explanation. The tour conditions for TCA and EA Tours are listed on the official online tour application and serves as a contract between all tour participants and TCA and EA Tours. Please request and read the tour conditions carefully so that you understand all of the details.

Please note, unless stated otherwise in this Tour Offering Confirmation and if applicable, it is the responsibility of each tour participant to have a valid individual government approved form of identification or if traveling internationally, a valid passport and/or visa(s). Please note: Unless stated otherwise in this Tour Offering Confirmation, TCA and EA Tours DOES NOT arrange or secure visas for ANY tour participant. The arranging for and securing of ANY visa is the responsibility of the individual tour participant. Any costs associated with attaining ANY domestic or international travel identification documents are not included in the tour fees or price. Most countries require passports to be valid for at least three months after the tour ends.

Some countries even require validity for six months after the scheduled return.

All participants must understand that specific cut-off dates for itinerary design and modification, release of unused airline seats, supplier payments, as well as tour participant registration and other related items apply. Therefore, this tour offering is valid until April 10, 2020. Participant applications received after that date may be subject to an increase or denied because of availability.

FAQ & Travel Tips!

Spending Money:  Difficult to place a daily amount on that because everyone’s spending habits are different.  A good rule of thumb is $100.00/day.  That would allow for souvenirs, a pint (or two), and food.  However, the amount of daily spending money needed is completely up to the individual.

Travel Visa:  You do NOT need a travel visa, but everyone MUST have a current and valid PASSPORT that does not expire before March 1, 2021.

ATMs:  Check with your bank about making international withdraws from ATMs. Many Banks will waive ATMs fee, but I STRONGLY suggest you discuss with your local banker.

Food included as part of tour:  Please visit EA Tours web page they have set up just for our tour.  It will give you the complete itinerary.  Dinners that are included with the tour are listed on the day’s itinerary.

Breakfast:  Breakfast is provided each morning at the hotel and or ship.  Make sure you give yourself enough time to have some breakfast before our coach leaves for the day’s adventures!

Pounds/Euros in your pocket:  It is always a good idea to have some currency of your destination country in your pocket before you start a journey.  Consider exchanging enough Dollars for Euros to get you through the first few days of the trip.  You can always hit the ATMs once we get acclimated and our travel routine started in Amsterdam, but the first few days will be busy and it will make life easier if you have some Euros in your pocket when you arrive.

Comfortable walking shoes:  You should expect to do a bit of walking, so think about the shoes you will be wearing.  Plan to bring a comfortable pair of shoes that will stand the possibility of damp weather.

Personal Responsibility and Tour expectations: It is always fun to explore new places and to meet new people, but no one wants to be “that” person that caused the other 30+ people on the tour to be late or rushed.  Please be aware of all group functions and coach departure times.  Our Tour Guide will make sure to announce when and where to meet for each scheduled gathering and departure.

When will airline tickets be delivered:  I have spoken with the good people at EA Tours and they have informed me, that with group tickets, the airlines usually release them near to 30 days before the scheduled flight.  So, look for the air tickets to be released/delivered two to three weeks before we leave for our adventure.

Are converters needed:  YES!  If you plan to take any electronic devise (phone, iPad, tablet, hairdryer, etc.) from here to Britain you WILL need an electrical converter!  Make sure the converter you purchase is made for the EU.  There are many offered on Amazon.com or in most places where luggage is sold.

Will there be hairdryers in the hotels:  I cannot guarantee that each place we stay will have a hairdryer in the room.  I’m sure some may, but am also as confident that some may not.  So, it is a good idea to pack a small hairdryer in your luggage if you require one each day.

Will we be required to pay for luggage:  No. Each person is allowed a standard suitcase (I believe up to 50 lbs.) and two carry on bags (One personal bag – purse, book bag – and another small travel bag.  MAY I SUGGEST, that the fewer bags you bring, the easier your trip will be for moving luggage.  I will be travelling with my suitcase (checked) and a shoulder bag (carry on).

Is Patrick Craddock a Freemason:  Yes.  I was Raised on 11 November 1988, in O.D. Smith Lodge No. 33, Oxford, MS.  I am a Past Master of Conlegium Ritus Austeri, Nashville, TN.  I have articles (either about me or written by me) in Northern Light Magazine, The Scottish Rite Journal, The California Freemason, and The Masonic Society Journal.  Although I reside in TN, I hold membership in Lodges in the Grand Lodges of California, Kansas, and Washington D.C.