Sisters travelers tour Europe

Thirty Sisters-area residents, including 10 high school students, spent 15 days in Europe in June on a tour lead by Sisters High School Spanish teacher Janis Quiros.

The group touched down in Rome, where they enjoyed tours of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Cathedral and got a taste of the magnificent history of Italy's largest city.

From Rome the group moved on to Florence, Italy, which provided a bit of a respite after the size and busyness of Rome. Florence's rich artwork, overflowing shops, and friendly atmosphere made the two-day stay pleasant for all.

A number of the group climbed the narrow steps up to the top of the famed Duomo, a domed cathedral, to take in the breathtaking views of the red tiled roofs of the city.

Seeing well known works of art, such as Michelangelo's "David," provided high points for the art lovers in the group.

"Our hotel was right in the middle of the city so we were able to see and do a lot of things and get a feel for the lively atmosphere of Florence," said Quiros.

The tranquil mountain setting of Lucerne, Switzerland - where you can hear the bells ringing on the cows as the graze on the hillsides of above the city, and take the ferry on Lake Lucerne to travel from place to place - was a great contrast to the next stop of the journey: Paris.

Paris lived up to it's reputation as the "City of Light" in the eyes of the travelers who were entertained by a lightning storm while they were on top of the Eiffel Tower.

Other highlights of the stay in Paris were a trip to the Louvre, where the group got to walk through the museum when it was nearly empty of other tourists, a tour of the cathedral of Notre Dame, and an evening cruise on the river Seine.

On the way toward London from France, the group stopped in the French village of Bonne, before boarding the ferry for England.

"Seeing the white cliffs of Dover as we approached England made it clear why the cliffs serve as such a landmark because you can see land from such a distance," said Quiros.

The group stopped in Canterbury, which Quiros described as "the cutest little spot you could go to - so English", before arriving in London.

Being back in an English speaking country provided a good transition for the group before returning to the U.S., because it allowed them the ease of being able to fully communicate and enjoy the opportunities around them.

They stayed in a neighborhood near Princess Diana's residence and saw her horses being exercised, but never caught a glimpse of the Prince of Wales' ex-wife.

The group toured Westminster Abbey, viewed the royal jewels at the Tower of London, and shopped at Harrod's Luxury Department Store.

Quiros required the students to go to one live theatrical performance so part of the group saw a performance of "Les Miserables" and the rest took in "Cats."

"It was a great trip and makes me look forward to the next one," said Quiros.

Quiros will lead her next trip with students in March of 1998 to Costa Rica.