HIGHLIGHTS

• A Visit to The Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia
• Participate in the famous Anzac Day Ceremony
• See Virgin Mary's last home
• Visit the Cotton Castle of Izmir

Description:At the height of its power the Ottoman Empire spanned three continents. Once its capital, Istanbul is today an exciting blend of the ancient and modern. You will arrive in Istanbul and enjoy this timeless city for three days visiting historical places like Sultan Ahmet, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Bosporus, the Cistern Basilica and more.

This will be followed by two days of hosting with one of the Friendship Force clubs of Turkey before continuing on with your hosts to Çanakkale, Gallipoli for the dawn Anzac Day ceremony. On Anzac Day, the 25th of April, across the length and breadth of Australia and New Zealand as well as in Turkey, people turn out to salute, honor and pay their respects to the fallen and to the surviving servicemen who willingly offered their lives to the service of their country. You will spend two days exploring the area with your hosts before departing on a six day tour including more wonderful places like Ayvalk, Bergama, Izmir, a visit to Ephesus and the Temple of Diana, the Old City of Ephesus, the Temple of Hadrian and Serapis, Library of Celcius, the Last Abode of the Virgin Mary and lunch in Selcuk. After your time in the Izmir area you will visit Pamukkale, called the ‘cotton castle’ and then you will fly back to Istanbul in order to return home.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Five days in Paris: Champs-Elysées, Eiffel Tower, Versailles, French cuisine
• Seven days in Belgium
• Grand Place of Brussels
• Famous chocolates, Belgian waffles and beers

Description:Five days in Paris, France launch our European adventure! Our stay in Paris includes free time to enjoy the many wonderful “must-see” places that Paris has to offer and also includes visits to Versailles, Chartres, and Monet country.

We leave Paris and head to Luxembourg for lunch and a brief sight-seeing stop before our final destination in Flanders, Belgium.

In Flanders, we will live like locals for a week as the guests of the Friendship Force of Flanders, who delight in showing off this very charming and most hospitable region of Belgium.

The Friendship Force of Flanders is located in the city of Zottegem in the Flemish region of Belgium, approximately 50 km from Brussels, the Belgian capital.

Belgium is known for the famous Flemish cities of Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp and, of course, Brussels. This is a marvellous opportunity to be exposed to Belgian culture. Our new friends, our hosts, will introduce us to their beautiful region as we visit Oudenaarde, Leper, and Leuven. Upon seeing the castles, museums and archaeological sites of this region, it is easy to understand why the Belgians are so proud of their history and culture. And yes, we will also taste their famous Belgian chocolates, waffles and beers.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy spring in Northern Germany’s gardens, forests and fields
  Discover the history of Hannover – dating back to 1150 and Hamburg – first mentioned in the year 810.
• Visit the city of Hamelin – the origin of the Pied Piper legend
• Take a harbor cruise on the river Elbe
• Explore the landing docks of Germany’s biggest port

Description:Glorious spring is the best time to begin our journey with our friends in northern Germany. Proud of their heritage, the members of the Friendship Force of Hannover showcase their beautiful old town, guiding us through its proud history. We will enjoy a visit to the 300-year-old Herrenhausen Gardens - one of the most distinguished baroque formal gardens of Europe. One day will be spent exploring the roots of the Pied Piper legend with a visit to the town of Hamelin. In addition to references to the fable, the town has one of the most beautiful medieval old town centers, a fabulous shooting opportunity for photographers because of its remarkable architecture.

From Hannover we will travel by bus to Norderstedt to enjoy a week of home hospitality with our hosts, the Friendship Force of Norderstedt. Surrounded by green forest and farmland, this town is known for the beauty of the countryside and yet is conveniently connected to the city of Hamburg by a short train ride; and Hamburg has so much to offer! More than 2300 bridges – surpassing the numbers of bridges of Amsterdam and Venice combined - cross the many canals in Hamburg. In fact Hamburg has more bridges inside its city limits than any other city in the world! We’ll visit thetown hall, a richly decorated Neo-Renaissance building finished in 1897. Next, Hamburg’s harbor: the history of the port is almost as old as thehistory of Hamburg herself. Founded on May 7, 1189 byFrederick I for its strategic location, it has been Central Europe's main port for centuries and enabled Hamburg to develop early into a leading city of trade and a rich and proud bourgeoisie. On a harbor cruise you will get a different perspective on Germany’s "Gateway to the World" – the largest port in Germany. Also planned are visits to St. Michael’s Cathedral and other world famous museums and theaters.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike the picturesque areas of the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, The Vale of York and The Lake District
• Visit Durham Cathedral, a World Heritage Site
• See the birthplace of the famous explorer, Captain James Cook
• Dance at a Céilidh - a traditional Gaelic social dance event!

Description:The Friendship Force of Cleveland County, UK invites us spend a week in their homes while exploring the beautiful countryside, culture and history of Northeast England.

Many of Cleveland County charms are well kept secrets – and this exchange will take you deeper into the heart of the area then you can imagine. The club lies in close proximity to some of the most incredible landscapes in Britain: the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, The Vale of York and The Lake District.

We will take a journey through time visiting the historical sites of the area, where every invader of Britain has left their mark. Starting at megalithic monuments far older than Stonehenge, we will have the opportunity to see the World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and castle as well as various castles and ruined abbeys. Cleveland County has a beautiful coastline with many beautiful villages and the old fishing port of Whitby

We will take two coach tours around Cleveland County, while getting to know local customs and culture with friendly local hosts!

An optional tour of Scotland will be added on to this exchange. Please contact Grant Stradley (see above) for more details.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Walking tours of Leewarden's beautiful parks and museums
• Explore the museums of Amsterdam
• Optional side trip to Munich for the Passion Play

Description:Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands with 643,000 inhabitants; its capital is Leeuwarden with 91,817 inhabitants, in the center of the province. The province is famous for its speed skaters, with mass participation in cross-country ice skating when weather conditions permit. The local club is around the city of Leeuwarden where we will spend seven days learning about the history and nature of this beautiful area.

Optional touring after the homestay includes a few days in Amsterdam doing a day tour of the surrounding area and a city tour on a second day followed by free days to explore museums, gardens, parks and other city sites. After that we will travel to Munich, Germany. Plans are to attend the Passion Play performed every decade in Oberammergau. We will also visit (the palace) Schloss Nymphenburg in Munich and other sights, and possibly take the train to Salzburg, Austria, for a day visit.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Tastings of local delights like gelato, marmelades, wines
• An optional cooking class
• Six days on the beautiful Mediterranean coast

Description:Come explore scenic and historic Southern Italy. This 13-day adventure begins and ends in Rome. From Rome we travel south to the mountainous region of Basilicata and spend the last six days in Mediterranean coastal towns. Treats for the palate like an Aglianico wine tasting, gelato, marmalades, and an optional cooking class in Sorrento, are just a few of the culinary adventures lined up. Our day trip to Venosa, the birthplace of the Latin poet Horatio, will have you living his famous quote "Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day). Though there is no Friendship Force club in Southern Italy, we will have home hosted dinners and evenings spent with local families. Come see old Greek colonies, beautiful peasant villages, and ancient Roman ruins that inspired books, poetry and were the setting for films like The Nativity. Optional excursions to Mt. Vesuvius, Capri, and Pompeii will leave you with much to talk about over dinner during your stay at the Esperidi Resort in Sorrento, on the Bay of Naples.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample local beers and chocolates
• Visit a medieval cathedral
• Experience a truly car-free center

Description: Situated on the Dutch border, Limburg is the easternmost province in Flanders, and the foremost fruit-growing region in the country. The lively, friendly market town of Hasselt is the provincial capital. It boasts a car-free historic center, with buildings dating back as far as the 11th century. Genk is another recommended stop. The city of 63,000 people is home to a zoo, a planetarium, De Maten nature reserve and Bokrijk, an open-air museum of 19th century Flemish architecture. The Friendship Force of Limburg, located in the city of Hasselt, in the province of Limburg, will offer you a unique friendship opportunity; you will sample the products of the region – the best chocolate and beers – and meet friendly and warm people.

The town centre of Hasselt is not large but very sociable. The center is also mostly car-free and contains a number of historical buildings. Among the oldest buildings in the town centre are the St. Quentin's Cathedral (11th to 18th C.) and the "Herkenrode Abbey refuge house" (1542). The "Grote Markt" (large central market square) and the nearby streets are lined with pubs, restaurants and taverns.
The province of Limburg offers a great variety of activities and many places of interest our visitors. Unique to the province are: a beautiful open-air museum which reflects the way of living in Belgium in the past two centuries. Limburg has a famous Gin museum, and a lovely Japanese garden. It has a very rich Roman and medieval history.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Brasov’s beautiful Saint Nicholas church
• Peles Castle – a masterpiece of German Renaissance architecture
• Photo opportunities in the Carpathian mountains

Description: A unique opportunity to be immersed in modern Roman history while experiencing life like today's Romanians. In Bucharest, the Romanian capital, we will visit the People’s Parliament - the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon - and the must-see outdoor Village Museum. An overnight in the Brasov Poiana mountain resort and dinner with the Friendship Force of Brasov! In Sibiu, some of our highlights are the Craftsmen’s Square, Bridge of Lies, Goldsmith Square and City Hall Tower. The Friendship Force of Sibiu are our hosts in this beautiful part of the world.

Next we will head to Budapest where we will have a half-day guided tour and then a free afternoon. If your feet get tired, try a soak in one of the famous baths! You will also have a day and a half in Budapest to explore on your own.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• An island known for its outstanding natural beauty and 500 miles of footpaths
• 30 miles of heritage coastline and 13 award-winning beaches
• Some of the most picturesque villages in the country
  Pubs!

Description:A visit to the Isle of Wight is a step back in time, when life moved at a slower and civilized pace. This island, off the south coast of England, measures only 23 miles by 13 miles. It offers spectacular hills, towering cliffs, river valleys, marshes, rich farmland, a variety of woodlands, prehistoric burial mounds, ancient churches, charming villages, a wealth of inns and pubs and the most spectacular beaches in the south of England. Small wonder then, that the Island is one of the best walking venues in the world.

This exchange offers 7 – 8 miles of walking per day (this can be adjusted according to the group’s preference) on different parts of the island, incorporating picnics, stops for pub lunches (additional cost), photography opportunities and plenty of time to relax and take in the incredible scenery. At the end of the day we will return home to our Isle of Wight hosts.

One flexible day is scheduled during the week so participants can explore on their own.

FITNESS REQUIREMENT: Participants must be able to walk at least five miles, climb over stiles, walk up hills, carry their own rucksacks, food and drink. Couples and travelling partners should both participate fully in the program which is designed for ramblers (hikers) only; there are no alternative activities or hosting available.

 

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HIGHLIGHTS

• A visit to Big Pit
• See Roman Ruins at Caerwent
• Enjoy the smell of the sea Cardiff Bay

Description:Get an insight into Welsh culture and heritage and explore the beauty of Wales in the early summer!

We will meet in London to start our exciting journey to Cardiff, Wales. The Friendship Force of South Wales welcomes you into their homes for a week of activities themed with Welsh culture, visiting historic castles, and getting immersed into local culture on a tour of the “Big Pit” (a coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums) as well as visiting St. Fagan's museum of Welsh life.

We will also visit the Roman Caerleon and Caerwent, both famous for Roman remains. A visit to the coastal area and scenic Cardiff Bay is also on our itinerary. This exchange will not only include “seeing” Welsh culture but you will also be invited to a special performance by a local Welsh choir.

A few days touring in North Wales will be added to this exchange to further deepen our experience!

 

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the Schwerin Palace surounded by beautiful nature and a lake
• Watch the Open Air Opera “La Forza Del Destino” by Giuseppe Verdi
• Meet and become friends with Ambassadors from all over the world during this special Festival

Description: A welcome barbeque opens the festival and its first day full of exciting adventures. In the evening visit the Grand Open Air Opera Festival and enjoy a performance of “La Forza Del Destino” by Giuseppe Verdi. The next day we’ll travel back back in history during a tour of the Schwerin Palace - built from 1845 - 1857 in the neo-renaissance style! You will be greeted in the banquet hall by a member of Parliament and then have a chance to explore the magnificent gardens. After lunch explore another beautiful garden area, site of a former garden exhibition and then have the evening to yourself. The local Friendship Force members will help you customize the perfect sightseeing or shopping experience according to your interests. On the third day the Friendship Force of Lübeck/Schwerin has prepared some activities to choose from that will be sure to appeal to everybody’s interests and tastes. You can either visit the Hanseatic City of Lübeck or the Hanseatic City of Wismar and explore their old towns and shopping opportunities. Or you can visit Bad Doberan and enjoy a tour by nostalgic steam train to the Spa of Kühlungsborn at the Baltic Sea. Bring your bathing suit if you wish!

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