| Day
1 - Tuesday |
Departure
from Canada for either Zurich or Geneva International Airports.
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| Day
2 - Wednesday (D) |
|
PM
Upon arrival you will be met by your guide in her bright red
uniform. She will accompany the group throughout its stay, looking
after any special needs or requests.
Your luggage will be handled by porters onto your deluxe motorcoach
for your 90 minute ride through beautiful countryside to the
4 star Hotel Bern, located in the center of the medieval city.
After
checking in at the hotel the remainder of the afternoon is at
leisure.
EVENING Swiss welcome cocktail
(wine and cheese) followed by a 3 course welcome dinner in the
hotel.
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| Day
3 - Thursday (B,D) |
|
AM
You will start your Swiss adventure with a 2 hour coach tour
of the city of Bern. Highlights include visits to the famous
Clock Tower and its figure-play (circa 1530); the famous living
emblem of Bern - the Bear Pits; the Muenster Cathedral (circa
1421); the Houses of Parliament; and the Rose Garden.
PM
Lunch is at leisure, along with the rest of the afternoon for
a further personal discovery of Bern’s medieval city center.
EVENING
A group dinner will be held at a local restaurant where fine
Swiss cuisine will be featured.
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|
Day
4 - Friday (B,L,D)
|
| AM
Today's activity features a full day escorted excursion by coach
via the scenic Oberland Motorway to the resort of Grindelwald.
You then continue by rack-railroad for lunch at Kleine Scheidegg,
which faces the north wall of the Eiger, site of the famed Clint
Eastwood film, The Eiger Sanction.
PM
In the afternoon you will continue by rack-railroad via the
holiday resort Wengen to the valley station of Lauterbrunnen,
then by coach to the village of Interlaken, where ample time
will be available for browsing. You will return to Bern by coach
via the city of Thun.
EVENING
Dinner will be served at the hotel.
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| Day
5 - Saturday (B,L,D) |
|
AM
Today you will enjoy a full day escorted trip by 1st class rail
through the Emmental Valley to Lucerne. Lunch will be served
in Lucerne after which you will have leisure time to discover
the sights of the city with your hostess. This may include a
stroll over the Chapel Bridge or a visit to the Lion's Monument.
You will return by train to Bern in the late afternoon.
EVENING
Tonight's dinner program will be a dine-around. You can choose
from any of 30 fine restaurants within walking distance of the
hotel and sneak away for a quiet dinner for two, or team up
with some of your new friends and explore the cuisine of your
choice. Dine around vouchers have a value of CHF 35.00/person.
|
|
| Day
6 - Sunday (B,D) |
|
AM
This morning and afternoon are free for you to pursue your own
activities, i.e. church service, museum or gallery visits, or
maybe just sleep in and then enjoy a long leisurely lunch at
a local café.
EVENING
You will take a short coach ride to the Emmental, home of world
famous Swiss dairy products. Here you will tour production facilities
and sample the fine cheeses. Dinner will be served in a 300-year-old
country inn, accompanied with a private performance by a yodeling
choir.
|
| Day
7 - Monday (B,L,D) |
|
AM
Today's adventure will be a full day escorted trip to Northern
Italy. Travel by 1st class rail through the Bernese Oberland
and it's mountain tunnels to the shores of Lago Maggiore and
picturesque Stresa. You will then board a lake cruiser and sail
to the islands of Bella and Pescatori, and enjoy a sumptuous
Italian luncheon.
PM
Return trip via train to Bern.
EVENING
Dinner will be served at your hotel.
|
| Day
8 - Tuesday (B,D) |
|
AM
Today you're on your way to the Lake Geneva region by coach.
Here you will visit the famous international city of Geneva,
with stops at the Reformators Monument, the Red Cross, the United
Nations, and enjoy lunch.
PM
You will continue across the border into France and visit the
Evian area, noted home of Evian Water. Our return to Bern will
also include the lakeshore city of Montreux, and a visit to
the Castle of Chillon.
EVENING
Tonight will provide another opportunity to explore the cuisine
of your choice with a dine-around voucher, good at 30 fine restaurants
within walking distance of your hotel.
|
| Day
9 - Wednesday (B,D) |
|
AM
This morning you will enjoy some leisure time to plan your own
activities. Perhaps a shopping tour through the colorful market
stalls that dominate the main squares of Bern, or along the
6 KM of ancient arcaded streets. Consider an in depth visit
to one of the city's 16 museums and galleries. Lunch is also
at leisure.
PM
This afternoon will feature a guided coach trip to beautiful
Lake Thun, dominated by a medieval castle, and a lake steamer
ride to the village of Spiez. Here you will visit the Winery
Museum and enjoy some local wine tasting. There will also be
some leisure time to scout the area and enjoy the sights.
Or
optional: Individual day trip to EXPO 2002 (Swiss National Exhibition)
EVENING
Dinner will be served at your hotel.
|
| Day
10 - Thursday (B,L,D) |
|
AM
Full-day excursion by coach and rail to the mountain village
of Zermatt, home of Switzerland's most famous landmark, the
Matterhorn, rising 4,400 M above sea level. Your coach will
travel through the Kander Valley where it will drive onto a
piggy-back train and roll through the 7.5 mile long Lötschberg
tunnel. At Täsch you will board a rack-railroad and continue
to Zermatt, a village of 5,000 with no automobiles!
PM
After lunch you will have ample time to stroll the village and
enjoy the Matterhorn. Time permitting you may wish to board
the 45 minute mountain train to Gornergrat, 1,400 M above Zermatt
for an unparalleled view of the Alps.
EVENING After an early evening return to Bern you will have
another opportunity to experience the dine-around program.
|
|
| Day
11 - Friday (B,D) |
|
AM
Your final excursion is a half-day trip to the fascinating hill-top
town of Gruyères. A stroll through the narrow cobble-stoned
streets featuring late Gothic housing and an imposing castle
is most rewarding.PM Use this afternoon for some last-minute
shopping: chocolate, Swiss embroidery, cheese or even some Swiss
wine.
EVENING
Gala farewell dinner at your hotel with musical entertainment.
|
| Day
12 - Saturday (B) |
|
AM
After breakfast your luggage will be loaded onto the coach which
will take you back to the Airport for your flight back home.
"Uf
wiederluege!" Until we meet again!
|
|
included
in the package:
- Airfare
from Vancouver/Calgary to Switzerland
- Accommodation
for 11 days/10 nights in twin
bedded rooms with private bath
- Transfer
by motorcoach to and from airport and hotel
- Porterage
at the airport and the hotel
- Swiss
Welcome cocktail on arrival
- Swiss
buffet breakfast (B) and plated dinner daily (D), plus lunches
(L) on full-day excursions as per itinerary
- Special
group dinners in Bern, the Emmental, and a multiple dine-around
voucher program valid in 30 restaurants around Bern
- English-speaking
guide throughout, including transfers, excursions and evening
outings
- Swiss
Canadian escort from Advantage Prime Travel in West Vancouver
- Program
activities as per itinerary (including the entrance fees required)
- Taxes
on all itinerary items, and tips for all
hotel, restaurant and porterage staff
- Full
information package on Switzerland
- Printed
program for every participant upon
arrival
- Farewell
dinner at your hotel with
musical entertainment and souvenir gift
- Optional
day trip to Swiss National Exhibition
(Expo. 2002)
Not included:
- 4
lunches
- Beverages
other than tea and coffee
- Hotel
extras such as laundry, telephone,
minibar, etc.
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|
$
4,444 CDN/person
- Based
on two sharing
- Singles
welcome - add $349
- Departing
from Western Canada
- Early
booking bonus: 120 days prior to departure - $100
- Group
discount available
Advantage
Prime Travel
1681 Marine Drive
West Vancouver, BC V7V 1J2
Phone: (604) 925-1212
Toll Free: 1-877-925-1212
Fax: (604) 925-1866
Email: info@prime-travel.com
www.prime-travel.com
THE SWISS SPECIALISTS
register
on-line or fax your registration
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