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Day 1 Own arrival into Zurich
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Morning, you will
arrange your own transfer & flight to Zurich airport. Arrival
should be no later than 2 p.m. See Zurich in brief, starts from
the main Railway station of Zurich, opened in 1871, this superb
building ranks amongst Europe's most beautiful railway stations.
Many
extensions have been added over the years to the original
building, which now resembles an architectural puzzle of
numerous interesting styles. From here, perhaps you like to
start off, on to the famous Bahnhofstrasse, the city’s main
shopping zone and ideal for pedestrians. This Bahnhof street is
one of the most beautiful shopping area. It allows you a first
hand experience, browsing at elegant fashions, department
stores, boutiques with top quality products, and admire at the
unique architectures of the 5 major banks near the Limmat River
Quai. Notice also the Rathaus, a baroque construction dating
from 1694/98 is full of character. It juts out into the Limmat
on the site of an earlier parliament building. This evening we
check in at our hotel by Lake Lucerne in the canton of lake of
the four forests canton.
(Western
Dinner)
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Day 2 Lake Lucerne
/ Berne excursions
First
stop is to the enchanting township of Lucerne. An
essential stop for all travellers to Switzerland, due to its
unique setting. Enjoy the scenes around the lake with graceful
swans; the ever green mountains, occasionally snow-capped and
the changing vegetation around. Wander through the cobble stone
streets in the old town, spot the ornate fountains in every
corner or together with your tour manager, visit the monuments
such as the Wounded Lion, memory of the heroic death of the
Swiss mercenaries at the Tuileries in 1792; The Kapellbruecke -
Chapel Bridge constructed first half of the 14th century as a
part of the city's fortifications, the Jesuit Church, built in
1666/67, the first and finest baroque churches in the country
and finally the old wall with its medieval watch towers. There
are also the Richard Wagner House , Picasso Museum if you care
to rush to, rather than shopping for the Swiss cotton materials,
watches or folklore souvenirs.
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In the afternoon, we are in
the capital of the country Berne. It is a UNESCO World-heritage, walking
with your tour manager from the rail station through arcades of shops
and stores, we see a compact mediaeval cityscape, with its unique 12C
Golden clock tower, the Renaissance fountains and largely preserved
sandstone facades, to which the romantic Swiss capital owes its charm.
Cross the River Aare, we come to the Bear pit, for the glimpse of those
cute cuddly animals, the bear is Berne’s heraldic symbol and therefore,
do not forget a memorial snap shot, as a proof that you were here.
(Continental
Breakfast / Western Dinner)
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Day 3
A day of Skiing lessons & fun in the snow mountains
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After breakfast, you
are ready, hopefully armed to the teeth, for the unique
experience you have long anticipated. In the quintessential
country that is synonymous with Snow and Ski in winter months,
Switzerland embraces the Alps, one of the most spectacular
mountain ranges in the world, that straddles from the East to
the West. Our specially selected mountain starts from the foot,
at the township of Andermatt. With over 34 car stations and 166
kilometers of ski pistes, it is indeed one of the most popular
resorts. We have chosen the Natschen and Gutsch snow fields, for
both intended purposes, the latter being a slopes for ski
enthusiasts, where the lower part of it in Natschen is for
travellers who comes just for the fun of it all, or to dress up
as skiers and pose for pictures, most of all,
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who would prefer less
hectic activities. Our specially engaged instructor is at hand for the
morning to offer his undivided attention and share his skiing knowledge.
Our coach stops firstly at the villages
ski store, where to those who might have forgotten any of the
essentials. Here one could hire everything related to ski for a day.
(see our technical itinerary for detail). There is almost everything
conceivable, available here; from ski sun-glasses; ski-boots;
ski-jacket; gloves; ski-poles; long or short skis; ski-board;
ski-sledge; to ski-helmet and more.
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Dotting
all the stations by the cable cars and chair lifts are the comforting
warm cafes; restaurants; shops and souvenirs stores, where you could
escape for a moment or two between your fun and sporting pursuits. The
day is yours for a fullday of fun on the slopes with one day pass (pay
as you arrive); Return to the hotel for a good warm shower and hearty
dinner.
(Continental Breakfast /
Western Dinner) |
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Day 4
Zermatt Matterhorn resort / Les Bains de Lavey Spa
& hot-spring / Visp
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Few
alpine resorts in Switzerland, among them Zermatt, is one of
the “Green?resorts. Only electric vehicles and taxis are
allowed. Access to Zermatt from Täsch cog-wheel station. The
up market shops and restaurants is indeed made for the rich
and famous. We could stroll to the end of the road for the
spectacular view of “Pyramid?shaped snow capped mountain
that you have long to see ?The Matterhorn. Continue to the
hot sulphur springs of Lavey on the Rhone River Discovered
quite by chance by a fisherman in 1831, it is now the up
market Spa and beauty centre of the country. Surrounded by
impressive mountain ranges. Several swimming and spa pools,
steam rooms, whirlpools and rest rooms are at your disposal
with just a 3 hour ticket paid at the door. In addition
you'll find fun pools and a 70-m long slide for children, as
well as a 25-m Olympic pool for those with athletic
ambition. All pools have a temperature of 28-42°C and
contain thermal water from local springs. Later, guests can
enjoy culinary delights in various bars and restaurants. The
coffee bar at the entrance of the bath is the perfect place
to enjoy afternoon cafe and croissant. Feel hungry? Stop for
a snack at the self-service restaurant. Visit the new
grill-pizzeria and enjoy the lovely terrace. In the later
afternoon, we settle down in the township of Visp where
dinner is served.
(Continental
Breakfast / Western Dinner)
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Day 5 Lausanne / Chillon Castle /
Vevey / Geneva orientation / Patek Philippe Horology
experience
/ Departure sent-off
Our first stop this
morning, is the medieval castle of Chillon. Personified by Lord
Byron at the age of 24, with his lengthy and poetic recital of
this stone structure on the cliff. Coming face to face with this
building, one could see why was he such a poor romantic soul. In
Vevey city, we say hello to Charlie Chaplin, in his garden by
the main entrance to Switzerland’s popular Nestle's Food museum.
Passing by Lausanne city, finally we come face to face with the
symbol of the lake and the city, the jet d'eau near the English
Garden of Geneva. The cosmopolitan ambiance is reflected in the
area where U.N. congress and offices are located.
Synonymous with
Switzerland apart from the mountains, lakes and banking,
undoubtedly the main revenue of the country is of the Watch
making. We come to a building erected in the early 20th century,
to witness the creativity of the Patek Philippe. Her museum
exhibits important collections of horology and enamelling of
Genevese, Swiss and European origin, dating from the 16th to the
20th century. A large collection of ancient antique watches and
clocks that are simply scintillating and dazzle with gems and
diamonds, indeed a feast to your eyes. There is a library
dedicated to horology and its related subjects that are
essentially composed of watches, musical automata and portrait
miniatures painted on enamel as well as the Geneva based firm’s
prestigious creations since its foundation in 1839.
Drop off at Geneva airport thereafter.
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Note: Day 3 activity, all equipment and
cable car or chair lift day pass to pay locally. |
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