The year 2000 pre-conference journey ‘On the Tracks of the Orient Express with the Emperor’ begins in Munich with an overnight stay at the ****Forum Hotel Munich (by Inter-Continental). The Hotel is located on a bluff on the right bank of the river Isar affording a superb view of Munich, yet it is only minutes (on foot) from the center of town. Directly under the hotel is a subway station with direct trains to the Munich railway station (Hauptbahnhof) and the Munich Airport. The one way fare to the airport is approximately $6.50. You may plan to arrive before Wednesday, June 28, 2000 to overcome the jet lag or do some sightseeing in Munich or perhaps plan to visit the famous ‘Schloss (Castle) Neuschwanstein’ of King Ludwig II, or the famous Deutsche Museum (Science Museum) with a real coal mine and many inspiring exhibits, or just enjoy the beautiful ‘Englischer Garten’ and some of the famous Bavarian Beer Gardens... Rooms are available at the Forum Hotel at the special conference rates of $140 for a single room and $160 for a double room beginning Sunday, June 25, 2000. The rates include breakfast, all taxes and service charges and are available by including the request on the WACRA registration form. On Thursday morning we leave the hotel by bus for the railroad station and travel on the Tracks of the Orient Express through beautiful Alpine countryside via Salzburg to Vienna. Empress Elizabeth of Austria loved to travel. Inspired by the beautiful landscapes passing by her window and the feelings they evoked, she often spent her time on the train reading poetry. She affectionately captured these experiences, "...a destination only becomes desirable because the journey lies in between." You might not have time to read poetry on your journey, but you will find the journey an experience to remember. through beautiful Alpine countryside via

After a 5 ¼ hours journey we will arrive at one of the major railroad stations in Vienna, the Westbahnhof. The **** Arcotel Wimberger where we will stay for two nights is located within easy walking distance from the station. The luggage will be transferred from the station to the hotel. In the evening we will do what many Viennese do once a week, go ‘Zum Heurigen,’ in one of the many places where ordinary and famous people meet to have a good time, drink a glass of ‘new’ wine, eat a little, sing, or listen to others sing, drink some more wine and eat some more...

On Friday the WACRA Executive and Advisory Boards will conduct their annual meeting at the Arcotel Wimberger followed by lunch. From 14.00 to 17.00 International Shopping Experts will introduce you to the local shopping scene and Viennese coffee houses. The evening is free for a visit to one of the Operas Staatsoper or Volksoper or Concert Houses or the famous Prater amusement park.

On Saturday morning, after walking to the Westbahnhof, we will board ‘The Majestic Imperator,’ the luxury train of Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elizabeth of Austria to travel (still on the Tracks of the Orient Express) from Vienna to Budapest. For a description and photos of the Imperial Train refer to the Fall 1999 WACRA NEWSletter or visit our web site. After a 3½ journey, we will arrive in the capital of Hungary, Budapest at one of the major railway station: Keleti.

The history of Budapest (current population 1.9 million) officially begins with the year 1873 and the unification of the formerly separate townships of Buda, Óbuda and Pest. The following four decades saw vast reconstruction, particularly on the Pest side of the river, which has basically determined the central city scape to this day. However, parts of today’s Budapest have been inhabited for centuries, the history of which can be traced back to pre-Roman, Celtic times.

Budapest (or Pest-Buda as it was known earlier) has been the focal point of all the major changes seen in Hungary in modern times - from the 1848 Revolution to the 1956 Uprising and beyond.

The ****Grand Hotel Hungaria, one of the largest and most prestigious Hotel in Budapest, is located within walking distance from the Keleti railway station. All luggage will be transferred to the hotel and CEU .

After some rest you are ready to see the town and try Hungarian Cuisine, sign up for the optional dinner at the Citadel (located on the Buda side of town) overlooking the Danube and Pest. Transportation to and back from the restaurant is included. Please refer to the registration form.

Please note:
The advanced registration deadline of March 1, 2000 for the pre-conference event ‘On the Tracks of the Orient Express with the Emperor.’ To guarantee block seating on the train and to lock in the availability of special rates at the **** Hotels in Munich and Vienna, we have to make early commitments and prepayments. We are competing with travelers from all over the world traveling this summer to the passion plays in Oberammergau (which take place every 10 years). For this event in a tiny village in the Alps in Germany, Hotels in Switzerland, France and Austria and of course in Southern Germany already report near capacity bookings.