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"Meet
the People Tour"
(Available Year Round For Groups Of
20 Or More)
Day 1: Departure
We leave today for our overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland.
Day 2: Zurich - Meiringen
We arrive in Zurich and are transferred by motorcoach to our home during
our Switzerland visit in the beautiful alpine village of Meiringen. The
Alpin Sherpa Hotel is owned and operated by our Swiss hosts, Nils and
Matthias Glatthard. Even with its modern amenities such as the garden
terrace restaurant, hairdresser, sauna and more, the Alpin-Sherpa is well
known for its quality old-fashioned service and personal touch. Within
easy walking distance from the village, the local trades people will
welcome us and be happy to answer any questions we may have. With its
colorful history and gorgeous countryside, Meiringen is well-worth
knowing.
Day 3: Life in Switzerland
Come with us as we learn about the daily lives of the Swiss people.
We’ll hear of the day to day routine of the citizens of this friendly
land. and we will have a glimpse of what it is to be Swiss. Sit back and
prepare for a visual feast as we travel through the countryside that is
Switzerland. We’ll travel past dairy farms, and rural chalet villages.
Each hill and turn in the road brings breathtaking visions that must be
experienced personally in order to fully appreciate its majesty and
grandeur. From the green meadows to the snow white mountain tops, this is
Switzerland in all its glory. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch during our
tour. Dinner tonight is on our own in Meiringen.
Day 4: Emmental Valley &
Bern Market
Our Postal Bus will take us through the Emmental Valley, famous for it's
dairy farms! In an area surrounded by lush alpine meadows and farmland we
will see Swiss farm houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Nestled between the Niesen and Stockhorn chains, the Emmental is one of
the mildest, most fertile and longest of all the valleys in the Bernese
Oberland. Then it's on to the capital of Switzerland, 800-year-old Bern is
the Heart of Switzerland and a city of many faces. Its romantic, medieval
streets with their 6 kilometers of arcades are the longest shopping
promenade in the world. The art, culture, schools, museums and theaters,
not to mention the gardens, flowers and world famous Clock Tower make this
the personification of everything Swiss. Known for its market and gardens,
Bern has been voted "Europe's Most Beautiful City of Flowers."
Day 5: Time to Explore
Today we are on our own and have several options open to us. Perhaps you'd
enjoy a stroll to the Magisalp Gondola or a visit to Meiringen's 300 year
old church. This may be a good day to stock up on those souvenirs for
folks back home or investigate those wonderful fragrances coming from the
bakery! (Optional excursions are available).
Day 6: Lucerne
Our tour begins with a scenic motorcoach ride northward to the city of
Lucerne. The passage of 800 years has succeeded in blending old world
grace with today's modern conveniences. This city of lights is surrounded
by charming countryside and well worth the visit. [Note: For additional
$15, the group could experience the Swiss Transport System by taking the
train roundtrip to Lucerne.]
Day 7: Lake Brienz &
Ballenberg
This morning we watch Switzerland's history come to life as we tour the
open-air museum at Ballenberg. Over 70 original Swiss farmhouses were
moved here from all over the country to give us a typical view of early
life in Switzerland. Surrounded by meadows and farmer's gardens,
Ballenberg is busy as the everyday life of early Switzerland is reenacted.
We can watch cheese makers, village smiths, weavers and even roof-shingle
makers as they ply their trade. Then it’s on to the majestic Geissbach
Falls. We start with a view from the top, then ride the Funicular down the
mountain to view the falls as they cascade into Lake Brienz. Once we have
reached the "cleanest lake in Switzerland" we are treated to a
nostalgic paddle-steamer cruise. As we view the rugged mountain slopes on
one side and the gentle Alpine meadows on the other, we will surely agree
that the lake basin is an area of “unparalleled beauty!” Then come
with us as we visit the famed woodcarvers of Brienz. Watch as the
craftsmen use skills passed down through the ages to create treasures we
can take with us today! We end this exciting day with a ride aboard the
one of a kind steam train, back up the Rothorn as far as the ice will
allow! The ascent takes us through peaceful forests and lush pastures to a
panoramic view of truly breathtaking grandeur.
Day 8: Home
After a final delicious Swiss breakfast we are transferred back to Zurich
for our flight home with arrival by mid-afternoon.
Price Per Person:
From $1665.00
(double occupancy)
Tour Includes:
Round-trip
Air Fare aboard Swiss Air, transfers, 4 excursions, 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch,
5 dinners, 6 nights at the Alpin Sherpa, taxes and meal gratuities,
porterage.
Group Leader ~
Customize this tour
for your group.
Call the tour planning professionals at Pilgrim 800.322.0788 |
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