Details:
Day 1 Depart for Pairs South
Meet at Euston Rail Station by 7:30am. An early morning departure by British Coach for Dover where our P/O ferry will bring us across the English channel to France. We arrive at the capital of the Champagne country - Reims. Dinner is served upon arrival at the hotel.
( Western Dinner)
Day 2 Rhine Falls / Zurich orientation / Sisikon area
We depart after breakfast for the dividing line between Germany and Switzerland. The line is non other than the mighty River Rhine. Here is cuts our the other country - Switzerland. In Schaffhausen, the canton in the north, we enjoy the spectacular sight of Rhine falls. If time permits, we make a short stop in the city of Zurich for a glimpse of the famous Bahnhofstrasse, the city's main shopping zone and ideal of pedestrians. This Bahnhof street is one of the most beautiful shopping area. This evening we check in at our hotel by Lake Lucerne in the canton of lake of the four forests canton.
( Continental Breakfast / Western Dinner)
Day 3 Lucerne / Berne excursions
First stop continue 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 heroic death of the Swiss mercenaries at the Tuileries in 1792; The Kapellbruecke - Chapel Bridge constructed first half of the 14th century as 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.
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)
Day 4 A day of Skiing lesson & fun in the snow mountains
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 kilometres 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, 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 on could hire everything related to ski for a day. 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. dotting all the stations by the cable cars and chair lifts are the comforting warm cafes; restaruants; shops and souvenirs stores, where you could escape for a moment of two between your fun and sporting pursuits. The day is yours for fullday of fun on the slopes with one day pass; Return to the hotel for a good warm shower and hearth dinner.
( Continental Breakfast / Western Dinner)
Day 5 A Sisikon / SPA resort / Lausanne
An early start southbound this morning. being the meeting-point of the routes from Italy over many alpine passes (Lukmanier Pass, Splugen Pass and the San Bernardino Pass), as well as from the Engadine (Albula Pass, Julier Pass), so it is why we are here today, for a 'JOY-RIDE' over one of the passes, and to enjoy the sights along the scenic pass from Lake Lucerne area all the way towards Leukerbad SPA. In the later part of the afternoon, enjoy Bergerbad, the largest SPA centre of Europe if not in Switzerland. With over 15 pools of hot spring volcanic water to choose from, it certainly is going to be one of our highlights of the journey. Blessed with crystal clear mountain air, a stunning mountain backdrop and all the clean natural healing powers of Mother Nature is what Bergarbad promises. This evening, we come to the township of Lausanne, the city by the shores of Lake Leman.
(Continental Breakfast / Western Dinner)
Day 6 Lausanne / Chillon Castle / Vevey Geneva orientation / Patek Philippe horology experience
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 if this stone structure on the cliff. Coming face to face with his 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 teh 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 if of the Watch making.
We come to a building erected in the early 20th century, to witness the creativity if 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 dazzling with gems and diamonds, indeed a feast to your eyes. There is 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 frim's prestigious creations since its foundation in 1839.
(Continental Breakfast )
Day 7 Geneva / Nemours
Goodbye Switzerland, as we head towards Nemours Overnight.
(Continental Breakfast )
Day 8 Fontainebleau / Paris / Calais / Dover / London
A brief shop for picutures at Fontainebleau castle. It was also the favourite ' home' to Napoleon. After our photo stop, contiune to Calais for ferry to Dover. Arrival London Euston this evening where tour terminates.
(Continental Breakfast )
Last updated: 17 Aug 2008
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