Route Through Switzerland
Switzerland Cultural Tour 2011
11 Day Tour
Date
Tour Price
* $3,258.00 per person
The price includes roundtrip airfare from San Francisco (call for other departure cities), hotels, airport transfers, daily breakfast, travel insurance, 1st class 15 day Swiss rail pass, free entrance to many museums and free use of public transportation in many places.
The tour will begin when we arrive in Geneva and travel to our hotel in the enchanting town of Lausanne. After spending three nights in Lausanne, we will be off to spectacular Interlaken for four nights. The final three nights will be spent in lively Zurich.
You have great flexibility on this tour to see and do the things that you want. You can explore all the wonderful sights in and around Lausanne, Interlaken and Zurich, as well as, use your Swiss Rail pass to go to many interesting places of your choosing within Switzerland and even to neighboring countries. We will also offer some optional side excursions for those interested in a more structured experience.
This trip is a little shorter than normal to accommodate those with limited vacation time.
Major Destinations
Lausanne - 3 nightsOctober 7, 2011 (Friday)
Leave home from San Francisco International Airport and fly to Geneva, Switzerland. Travel by Swiss Rail to Lausanne where you will begin your Swiss adventure!
Lausanne, which sits at the northern most point of Lake Geneva, is a beautiful city developed as a series of terraces above the lake. The city of 125,000 people, has vistas of blue water, glittering sunlight and the purple grey of the looming white caped Savoy Alps which seem to peep through gaps in the buildings or at the ends of the steeply dropping alleys. Much of the city is still wooded and there are plenty of parks. The tree-lined lakefront promenades spill over with lush beds of vibrantly colored flowers.
Interlaken - The Berner Oberland - 4 nights
October 10 (Monday)
Interlaken is the captivating "capital" of Switzerland's beautiful Bernese Oberland and a must for every Swiss visit. The small town is a delightful destination and the door to the Jungfrau region. It is surrounded by the crystal clear lakes of Thun and Brienz, sparkling streams, fantastic falls and by the unique Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau mountain range. The area around Interlaken presents a wide variety of attractions and activities.
Interlaken offers spectacular views to the famous mountain trio "Eiger, Mönch und Jungfrau" and the Bernese Oberland. These mountains are always present from wherever you are in Interlaken. The famous "Höheweg" promenade that links the urban center of Interlaken West with the much more scattered Interlaken East not only offers superb views of the Jungfrau summit, it is also one of the best locations in Switzerland for souvenir and watch shopping. The life on the promenade, lined up with street cafés is no less attractive. It is pleasant to stroll beneath the trees, glancing at the pavillion of meteorological instruments or the well-known floral clock in the casino gardens.
Zurich - 3 nights
October 14, 2011 (Friday)
The city of Zürich lies on the northern shores of Lake Zürich. Its multicultural flair and variety of leisure activities attract guests from all over the world. As a “metropolis of experiences” by the water, with a magnificent view of the snowcapped Alps on the horizon, Zürich offers a unique mixture of attractions – over 50 museums and more than 100 art galleries, international fashion labels and Zürich designs, and the most flamboyant and lively nightlife in Switzerland. Recreational activities range from a visit to the riverside and lakeside bathing areas in the very heart of the city, to a spectacular 
hike on the Uetliberg mountain.
For lovers of art, Zürich has much to offer. The city alone is home to over 50 museums, 14 of which are devoted to art.
The museum of fine arts, the Kunsthaus Zürich, boasts a significant collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs and videos. In addition, it has an extensive collection of works by Alberto Giacometti. Another highlight is the Rietberg Museum, one of the leading centers of non-European art in the world. Just a stone's throw from Zürich's main station, the Swiss National Museum – housed in an over 100 year old building reminiscent of a fairytale castle – contains the country's most comprehensive collection of exhibits relating to Swiss cultural history.
Payment Schedule and Due Dates
4/15/2011 - $ 300.00 Trip Deposit to secure seat (non-refundable after this date)
5/15/2011 - $1558.00 2nd Payment (non-refundable after this date)
6/15/2011 - $1,400.00 3rd Payment (non-refundable after this date)
$3,258.00 Total
- Add an additional $498.00 to 2nd Payment if you want a private room.
- Subtract $50/person finder's fee (for referring clients who on this tour) from final payment.
- Final payment amount depends upon exchange rate, number of tour participants and any
airline tax increases since 1/10/2011.
For additional details and information, please contact one of our travel consultants today!
* Note: Assumes double occupancy, a minimum of 30 participants, an exchange rate of $1.08 U.S. dollars to 1.00 Swiss Francs, departure from San Francisco and airline taxes as of 1/10/2011. Final trip price will be based upon the number of participants, the exchange rate and the airline taxes at the time the final trip payment is made. A single supplement of $498 applies to participants wishing a private room.