For some time I have wanted to organize a tour to the Swiss Alps in the summertime.
My good friend and colleague Carolyn Pawson goes skiing in the Swiss Alps almost
every year and her favourite place is the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland.
She has wanted to return in the summer to enjoy walking its high meadows and valley
villages, and to see them covered in wild flowers instead of snow.
Debbie Lloyd, President
Canadian Woman Traveller
She is very excited to lead a group for Canadian Woman Traveller in August 2010. Join her to walk the mountain meadows, and visit the car-free villages of Wengen and Murren. Enjoy the country markets and shops filled with unique Swiss treasures in Bern and Thun. You will take the train to the “TOP OF EUROPE' and experience the panoramic views from the Jungfraujoch, (Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau Mtns). 
You will take Europe's longest Gondola ride from Grindelwald, over the top of the Mannlichen and down to the pedestrian village of Wengen. You will have breakfast at the famed Piz Gloria revolving restaurant at the top of the Schilthorn, 'James Bond' style, while enjoying breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps. You will visit the woodcarvers in Brienz and tour the Open air Museum in Ballenberg. You will ride the steamer from Brienz to Interlaken where you can sightsee or shop before taking the mountain train back to our hotel in Lauterbrunnen.
We will stay 8 nights at the 3-star Hotel Schitzen, a (22 room) Swiss chalet-style hotel
in the village of Lauterbrunnen. At 796m (translates as 'Many Fountains') it is one of
the villages of the Lauterbrunnen Valley - Other nearby villages include Wengen, Murren,
Gimmelwald and Stechelberg, Grindelwald, located in the next valley is also part of the tour.
Our 9th night will be in Zurich.
The Lauterbrunnen Valley (of the Bernese Alps)is known as the “Waterfall Valley” and is one of the finest examples of a glacier-carved valley in all the Alps. A steep-walled, U-shaped cleft, it takes its name from the many feathery waterfalls that shower down its vertical sides, one of which (the Staubbach) is located beside our hotel and probably the most famous in Switzerland. From the village and our hotel you can see three of the Bernese Alpine peaks - Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau.
A summer photo from Lauterbrunnen of the Eiger,(left) Monch, (centre) and Jungfrau, (right) mountains.
The ridge between the Monch and the Jungfrau is called Jungraujoch
This program takes you right up onto some of the most beautiful Alpine peaks of the famed Swiss Alps. The photography opportunities will be absolutely stunning. Along with getting out in the fresh mountain air we will also visit and explore mountain villages and walk flower strewn mountain meadows.
DETAILED ITINERARY:
Overnight International flight from to Zurich, Switzerland
Day 01 - ZURICH - LAUTERBRUNNEN
We have arranged a private bus transfer from Zurich Airport to our hotel in Lauterbrunnen.
Carolyn will fly over on August 6 and we are happy to assist to coordinate your flights and
arrival transfers with hers. On arrival at the hotel you will settle in and you are welcome to explore this lovely alpine village before
our welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 - LAUTERBRUNNEN VALLEY
You will enjoy breakfast at our hotel then join our local guide for a walk “72 Waterfalls” of the valley.
Included Dinner will be back at our hotel in Lauterbrunnen
Day 3 - LAUTERBRUNNEN - MURREN - SCHILTHORN
This morning we will leave the hotel to travel by train up the Shilthorn for a 'James Bond' breakfast
buffet at the Piz Gloria restaurant at the top of the Shilthorn (2970metres).
This landmark restaurant became even more famous when it posed as the character Blofeld's hideout
in the 1969 James Bond film “On Her Majestys' Secret Service”. After breakfast we will take the cable
car down to the pedestrian village of Mirren situated on a shelf (1638 metres) overlooking the
Lauterbrunnen valley. From here we will walk the high pastureland from the village of Mirren to Winteregg and on to
Gritschalp. We then take the cable car down to Lauterbrunnen to return to our hotel.Included Dinner back at our hotel.
Day 4 - BERN
After breakfast at the hotel we will travel by private coach to the Swiss capital
city - Bern. An ancient bustling city and this is 'Market Day'! We will walk you
through the old quarter of town and everyone will have time for wandering the
market before our included lunch at the famed Aeussere Restaurant (where
Switzerland was founded). The afternoon is free to 'visit the bears of Bern' or shop for Swiss treasures.
Around 4:00pm in the afternoon we will return to Lauterbrunnen and our hotel by private bus.
Included Dinner at our hotel.
Day 5 - WENGEN, MANNLICHEN, KLEINE SCHEIDEGG, JUNGFRAUJOCH , GRINDELWALD
This morning we take the train up to Männlichen (2230 metres) for our included breakfast on a ridge
overlooking Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Eiger and Grindelwald. After breakfast we will take the train to
Kleine Scheidegg and transfer to a train that will take us up through the Eiger and the Monch to come
out onto the glacier on the Jungfraujoch (3454 metres). The Junfraujoch forms a 'yoke' between the
Monch and the Jungfrau mountains. Our return route will take us down the Eiger by narrow-guage rail
to the village of Grindelwald. We will take some time to look around and have some refreshment before
taking the train, or the longest gondola ride in Europe, back over the top to our hotel in Lauterbrunnen.
Included Dinner at our hotel.
Day 6 - BALLENBERG, BRIENZ, INTERLAKEN
Today, after breakfast we will take a private coach to Ballenberg. While here we will
also visit the Open Air Museum . This is a wonderful collection of historic buildings and
architecture from all over Switzerland. A charming recreation of how people lived in
isolated alpine villages in times gone by.
Later in the afternoon we will travel to Brienz and visit the famous Swiss Woodcarvers!
Most of the houses in Brienz date from the 18th century and all are decorated
with articulate wood carvings. 'Brunngasse' - is a street in Brienz once
awarded the title “Most Beautiful Street in Europe”.
The town has an attractive traffic-free promenade along the lakefront.
Weather permitting our day will end travelling by boat along Lake
“Brienzersee” to Interlaken where we connect to the train that takes us
back to Lauterbrunnen. Included Dinner at our hotel.
Day 7 - FREE DAY
Buffet breakfast at our hotel and then it's a free day to do whatever you like. You can relax at the hotel.
Visit the wonderful shops in Interlaken, or even join in on another mountain walk. Interlaken is the
town between the two lakes, Brienzersee (Brienz Lake) and Thunersee (Thun Lake) and has been the
tourist capital of the Bernese Oberland for over 300 years. A lovely city to visit, shop or just sightsee,
with the fabulous Alps in the background. OR, revisit the mountain villages of Wengen, Mirren or
Grindelwald as your included rail pass covers all transportation in the Jungfrau region.
Included Dinner at our hotel.
Day 8 - THUN
After breakfast today we are going to the town of Thun with its own
Medieval castle. And, today is Market Day ! Thun, on Lake Thun
(Thunersee) is just a short rail trip west of Interlaken. Our day is free
to visit the market and enjoy the medieval architecture of the old city.
The museum in Thun castle is open to the public and offers incredible
views of the city and the lake. The old town boasts a split-level street
with gorgeous arcaded shops. Enjoy lunch in one of the cafes along the
river.
Included Farewell Dinner at our hotel this evening.
Day 9 - ZURICH
After breakfast today we transfer to Zurich. We have our accommodation at a Zurich Airport hotel for
the convenience of the morning departures. The airport is connected to downtown Zurich by a quick
rail shuttle and there is ample time to do some exploring there. Dinner is on your own this evening as there is frequent rail service back to our hotel by the Zurich Airport.
Day 10 - DEPART for HOME CITY
I have been travelling back to Lauterbrunnen almost every year for the past
22 years, and truly feel that this valley in the Bernese Alps is one of the most beautiful regions of Switzerland.
I would sincerely love to share some of my favourite places in the unique towns and villages of the area.
Please join me to experience the breathtaking scenery and wonderful flavours of Switzerland.
- Carolyn Pawson
PRICING: $ 2998.00 (CAD) Canadian funds per person
Based on shared twin accommodation
Single supplement
Tour Includes:
- Transfer from Zurich Airport to Hotel Schitzen in Lauterbrunnen on Day 1
- 8 nights accommodation at Hotel Schitzen in the Village of Lauterbrunnen
- 1 night accommodation near Zurich Airport on Day 9
- 8 Swiss Buffet Breakfasts (Assorted cold meats, cheeses, cerials, yogurt, fresh breads and juices)
- 1 Lunch in Bern at the Aeussere Restaurant .
- 8 Dinners (3 Course Meals)
- All rail and cable car transportation in “Jungfrau Region” plus other bus and rail as mentioned in the
Itinerary (Included Jungfrau 'Rail Pass' - covers additional travel during free time)
- 2 country walks with a local guide. .
- Orientation of Bern, Ballenberg, Brienz, Thun and Interlaken.
- Admission to the Open Air Museum at Ballenberg
- 6 Day unlimited rail, gondola, steamer pass
- Transfer from Lauterbrunnen to Zurich hotel on Day 9
- Fully escorted by Carolyn Pawson for Canadian Woman Traveller
- Limited to a maximum of 14 participants
- All Taxes
Not Included:
- Air Transportation, although we would be happy to assist you to arrange flights from your home
city to join this tour
- Travel Insurance (as a fully licensed travel agency we are happy to quote insurance coverage for you)
- Drinks with included meals - alcoholic or non-alcoholic
- Tips to drivers and hired local guides.
For more information about this tour please contact Debbie Lloyd at:
Canadian Woman Traveller
A division of The Travel Broker & Cruise Centre
1758 Bath Road Kingston, ON Canada
Telephone: 613-389-7916 or 1-888-830-5324
Email:deblloyd@cwtraveller.ca
