Explore the Eifel fair Friday offers countless travel opportunities to Sabers Published July 28, 2010 By Iris Reiff 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Hundreds of local opportunities will be offered from the 100 or so exhibitors representing several neighboring communities and tourist organizations during an information fair scheduled for 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. July 30 at the Skelton Memorial Fitness Center. Travel information and excursion pamphlets will be packaged exclusively for Spangdahlem Sabers preparing them for Explore the Eifel event. The annual event was brought to life six years ago by former wing commander Col. Dave Goldfein. The main idea behind the event was to provide Spangdahlem Sabers with the opportunity to get out and learn more about the culture, history and daily life in the Eifel region, and at the same time enjoy friendships with the German neighbors in the community. This year the wing has declared Aug. 6-8 as Explore the Eifel travel days. The goal day, Aug. 6, was scheduled in conjunction with Explore the Eifel to allow for extra time to explore and take advantage of travel and leisure opportunities offered at the fair. Explore the Eifel also offers a chance for base members and their families to learn about tourist sites in the Eifel, in Germany and in the bordering countries of Belgium and Luxembourg, which are within driving distance from the base. "People stationed here often travel to the bigger cities like Berlin or Paris, not knowing that there are countless attractions available to them also right at the doorstep of the base," said Bernhard Schaefer, 52nd Fighter Wing Community Relations advisor. "That's why some of our local mayors decided to invite base members to their communities, which may become their homes for the next two or three years." Many exhibitors prepared tailored packages for base members in English just for the Explore the Eifel travel days Aug. 6-8. More than 100 exhibitors will hand out fliers and answer questions Friday. Many offers, giveaways, games and entertainment will also be part of the fair Friday. Travel offers will include local leisure park excursions, guided community walks and bike excursions, volksmarches, museum visits, castle tours, Phantasialand visits, information about the Nuerburgring race track, multiple outdoor activities, information about Trier's annual Bread and Game gladiator show, health and wellness packages, Mosel wine tastings, boat excursions, air balloon rides, skydiving, World War II historical site visits and more. For the first time this year, five agencies from the country of Belgium will introduce regional offerings as well. The border is only located about 45 minutes from the base. Examples of some Explore the Eifel community excursions: · The community of Spangdahlem invites Sabers for a moderate walk to the Himmerod Abbey, Aug. 6, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Mayor Klaus Rodens will offer food and refreshments along the way. · The neighboring community of Binsfeld welcomes the American populace, Aug. 6, 2-4 p.m. on a community walk that includes a small barbecue afterward. · The Speicher area administration invites Sabers to a bike ride, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. - noon, offering food and refreshments to the participants along the way. · The nearby village of Bruch invites people to a "Rapunzel castle" excursion, a community walk and a local festival · Castle excursions to the castles Weilerbach and Niederweiss are available on Aug. 7. Additional details on the mentioned tours and on many other offers will be available at the fair. Note: It is recommended for base members and their families to sign up at the fair for tours and excursions they would like to participate in for Explore the Eifel. "If you sign up for an event at the fair, it is common courtesy to try to make it to the event or cancel ahead of time by calling the organizer," said Connie Pitsch, Community Relations Office Assistant Community Relations Advisor. "Every year, local officials and many volunteers go through a lot of time and effort to make Explore the Eifel what it is today and has been for the past five years - a wonderful experience and memory of the friendship with the host nation country and our neighbors in the Eifel. "We hope that many Airmen and their families will come to the fair Friday and enjoy what has been arranged and will be offered to them for Explore the Eifel," she said.