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Leaving for Lucerne, Switzerland March 20, 2002
Zurich Airport - Rhine Falls - Lucerne Depart from Zurich airport and travel to the Northern part of Switzerland for a surprise visit on the way to Lucerne…before arriving at the hotel, stop at the Lion Monument memorialising the Swiss Guards who defended the Royal Palace in Versailles during the French Revolution.
March 21 - Thursday - Walking Tour - $14 Explore storybook Lucerne, situated on Lake Lucerne, a charming city with many faces. Reflect on the history of Lucerne as you walk across the 14th century Chapel Bridge with its paintings of heroic town events. Then cross Mill Bridge to see the "Dance of Death" paintings. Musegg Town Wall, the old city ramparts and the stately Town Hall, displaying suits of armours, remind you of the Middle Ages. At the Jesuit church enjoy an organ concert especially arranged for you.
March 22 - Friday - St. Gallen & Appenzell - $74 This excursion takes you to one of the most scenic areas of Switzerland, the country of Appenzell. Departing from Lucerne, travel on the highway to Sihlbrugg and across a pass called "Hirzel". Descending from There, the beautiful panorama over Lake Zurich lies ahead. Continue along Lake Zurich to Pfäffikon, then drive across the 2,7 miles long lake-dam, where the natural peninsula has been used to create a connection between the two lakeshores, and reach Rapperswil , a medieval town dominated by its castle. Via the Rickenpass, Wattwil, Waldstatt and Hundwil, arrive in the town of Appenzell, which is also the capital of this smallest Swiss Canton. The people of Appenzell area are unique characters and known for their sly sense of humour, their own costumes and folklore. After a stop the route takes you via Gais and Teufen to the city of St. Gallen, founded by the Irish monk Gallus in 612. The monastery is the largest Baroque building complex in Switzerland and its library is world-famous. Textile industry plays an important role here and the lace from St. Gallen is renowned and has decorated many Royal bridal gowns over the centuries. Visit to the world famous Library. *Bonus: a short stop in Zurich for an orientation tour. Zurich is the commercial, intellectual and industrial center of Switzerland. The city tour will give you a good general idea of Zurich in all its aspects: through the business and shopping center, along the Lake to the greenery of the recreational areas on the outskirts. Stop at the University from where you will have a wonderful view of the City.
March 22 - Friday - Fondue Dinner Cruise - $42
March 23 - Saturday - Local Swiss Culture - $28 9.30 AM departure from the hotel to visit the Alphorn Factory nearby Lucerne. Return to Lucerne to visit the atelier of the local artist Sigi Widmer and his neighbour a taylor.
March 23 - Saturday - Einsiedeln - $37 Einsiedeln is one of the world's greatest place of pilgrimage and is internationally known as a religious centre. The church and monastery buildings forming the gorgeous ensemble we know today, were built in Baroque style in the 18C on the site of a monastery founded in 934 A.C. by Otto I and Duchesse Reglinde of Swabia and since burnt down several times. The town's main street runs into the east side of the huge square on which the Abbey church stands. The 150 yards. long facade of the Benedictine Abbey overlooks a great semi-circular parvis, edged with arcades, in the centre of which stands a fountain to the Virgin. You will be able to walk around this lovely, richly decorated building as well as to admire the statue of Our Lady of Hermits, locally called "The Black Madonna". Incidentally, the monastery acted during World War II as the center of Papa diplomacy and information in Switzerland. Enjoy the 4pm Latin Vespers which are sung, after which the monks pass to the Lady Chapel in a procession and sing the Salve Regina, a tradition that goes back to the 16C.
March 23 - Saturday Concert
March 24 - Sunday - Top of the World - $125 Spend the entire day in the high Alpine country of lakes, glacial valleys and snow-capped peaks. Relax as you travel alongside Lake Lucerne to the ancient Celtic settlement of Alpnachstad. Continue past Lungern Lake into the Aare valley with its shimmering Brienzer Lake. A brief stop in the quaint village of Brienz gives you a chance to shop for wood carvings. Then on to Interlaken sith its magnificent view of the Jungfrau, known as the "Queen of the Alps". Descend into the Waterfall Valley of Lauterbrunnen to see the cascading falls of Staubbach. Here take the train to Jungfraujoch - This excursion takes you to the very heart of the Bernese Alps - from the green valleys to the glistening, eternal snow fields and glaciers encircling the mighty "Eiger" (13'026 ft), "Mönch" (13'449 ft.) and "Jungfrau" (13'643 ft.), which form an imposing nucleus of the Alpine Region. The railway of the Jungfrau Region are under unified management and comprise an electrified, highly efficient transport system. For those technically interested: there are different gauges, also gradients up to 25%. The highlight, of course, is the spectacular ride through the tunnel (4.4 miles long) cut into the rocks of the "Eiger". The travelling time from Interlaken to the Jungfraujoch is approx. 2 1/2 hours each way. At Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, you can visit the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Terraces - reached by lift affording breathtaking view of the Aletsch Glacier, the largest river of ice in Europe. Refreshment or a meal can be obtained at the Jungfraujoch Restaurant "Top of Europe". After approx. 2 hours you will return to the mountaineering village of Grindelwald and continue by coach to Interlaken for a short stop before you return to Lucerne. We might visit a farm on the way back if we have time….or enjoy sleigh or tobagan rides when we are there if there is enough snow. Important: In view of the altitude wear warm clothing, robust foodwear and sunglasses.
March 25 - Monday - Lugano, Italy - $85 Since the St. Gotthard Road Tunnel opened in 1980, the Ticino (the Italian speaking South of Switzerland) is at our doorstep now. From Lucerne travel through the Seelisberg tunnel, then follow the upper River Reuss with its narrowing mountains and breathtaking scenery, then drive through the St. Gotthard Road tunnel to the canton of Ticino -this is a country of contrast, the untamed wilderness of high Alps reaching down to the edge of frame and orchard. Here is the source of two famous rivers, Rhine and Rhone. Travelling through the valley of the Northern Ticino, you find that Ticinese people have kept their own traditions. Here at the foot of the peaks of Monte Bré‚ and Salvatore, at the Lake of Lugano, you have plenty of time to explore the city of Lugano on your own with its many attractive shops and outdoor cafes. We will visit a wine cellar, a chocolate factory and you will have time to shop at a outlet factory where they offer famous Italian designers at discounts.. (Brionii, Gucci, Dolce & Gabana, Armani, etc)).
March 26 - Tuesday - Mount Rigi - $64 Mt. Rigi - "The Queen of the Mountains" - so much loved by famous author Mark Twain! You start out from Lucerne by boat, and while enjoying a leisurely cruise on Lake Lucerne, to Vitznau from where you take the cogwheel train to climb Mt. Rigi, using the oldest mountain railway track in Europe. "My aim is to enable people to view the beauty of our glorious land from up high" declared its engineer, Nicklaus Riggenbach, in 1863! There is plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful scenery, to stroll along one of the many footpaths and to breathe the pure "Swiss air". Descend to Weggis by aerial cable car (10 minutes) and return to Lucerne by coach. March 26 - Tuesday - AFTERNOON ON YOUR OWN You can - shop till you drop, rent a bike and ride around town, visit he world famous Transportation Museum, the art Museum of Hans Erni, enjoy a ride on the Hi-flyer as well as a film a the Imax cinema, see the Glacier Garden, Picasso Museum, and Richard Wagner Museum or just relax and have spa day……..and maybe just one more visit to the casino… March 26 - Tuesday - Evening farewill dinner - Save the Date For Me...
March 27 - Tuesday
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