"Colchester Nepalese Society visits Five Countries in Europe"

Dear Chairman,

Thank you for your support and help in arranging such an amazing tour for the CNS members. Your hard work and dedication to the society are always appreciated. We had an amazingly unforgettable experience on the 6-day coach tour through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland with Star Tours. A significant part of our enjoyment came from our fantastic coach captain, Merick, and our multilingual, calm, friendly, and knowledgeable tour manager, Pratik Jagtap.

Although the visa system was a mess and somewhat complicated, and the itinerary was provided a bit late, the trip was well planned. We had ample time to explore and enjoy each stop and location we visited. The places we saw were iconic, historic and beautiful, making for a memorable trip.

Since the tour was organised under the initiation of the Chairman of CNS, we were able to travel with friends and families of our society’s members, which doubled the fun. Our entertaining and talented group, including Udek Gurung (alias Haribahadur), Laxman Gurung, Mishra Gurung Didi, Madhu Pun Chhyama, Lalmaya Fagami Pun Chhyama, Laxmi Didi, YouTube Vlogar Rupa Pun Bindas Didi, Nanda TV (Nanda Bahini), Omba alias (Rata Makai), best Tuk Toker Laxmi Gurung Sister and Jhindreni Programme, made the experience even more enjoyable. Both CNS advisors Capt Umesh Pun MVO and I, as team leaders, were satisfied with how the tour proceeded.

Thank you to those who provided delicious and various types of Tipan Tapan, especially Chirippa and Pills during the 6-day journey. All the traveling people, senior citizens, and every other age group were brilliant and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A lovely surprise was our ascent to the summit of Mt. Titlis, which rises to 10,000 feet and offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Uri Alps. At the summit, everyone enjoyed panoramic views of the Swiss landscape and took pictures in traditional Swiss outfits. Playing in the snow and riding the ice flyer were unforgettable experiences.

The tour included various activities, such as the "Paris Illumination Tour," a 90-minute night excursion that took us around the key sights of Paris. We witnessed the Eiffel Tower sparkling on the hour for five minutes, immersing ourselves in the magic of the "City of Lights." We also visited the Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest open-plain waterfall, where we enjoyed a quick boat trip to the center of the falls, standing on erosion-resistant rock. The Jet d'Eau fountain, illuminated at night, pumps half a cubic meter of water per second, reaching 140 meters into the air, attracting many visitors.

We explored artefacts and sculptures, ancient houses, and bridges, culminating in a breathtaking sightseeing experience in the center of Paris. From there, we embarked on the famous "Bateaux" cruise along the River Seine for one hour, taking in the stunning architecture of Paris, which includes the Grand Palais, Petit Palais, Pont Alexandre III bridge, the National Assembly, Invalides, and, of course, the spectacular Eiffel Tower.

The six days flew by! The hotel accommodations were comfortable, although a bit more lighting in the room would have been nice. Due to time constraints, we didn’t have a chance to relax in the jacuzzi, sauna, or swimming pool.

The continental breakfasts, as well as buffet lunches and dinners at various restaurants, were tasty, with the exception of the dinner on Day 3 provided by the catering team at the OAdagio Hotel in Thoiry. We had hoped for a bit more variety and flavor. However, we had an outstanding dinner experience on this 6 days 5-country visit.

The total journey covered a distance of 2,640 km on land and 68 km at sea, completed without regard to time.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our journey and would definitely recommend Star Tours for European tours.

Once again, thank you to the Chairman for organising such an amazing tour and for caring and bringing the members together.

Kiran Gurung

One of the group leaders