We were a small but very dynamic group and had a lot of fun during our tour in April 2009! To see many pictures from the tour please click on the link below.
The Idea
The aim of TheSwissTour is to show you Switzerland in its whole diversity:
On the one hand you see many beautiful places: historic and dynamic towns,beautiful lakes, stunning landscapes and mountains.
On the other hand you get to know the national identity of Switzerland. Therefore we organise activities (all optional) such as talks with members of parliament or journalists, visit a sport or cultural event, wine tasting or Swiss dinners.
All that should be possible to a very low price, it's a non-profit tour (see information under The Costs)! Everybody is welcome! The tour is unique and only offered once from 14.April-20.April 2009 (just after Easter). Guides speak surely English, French and German, perhaps Spanish, Italian and Russian.
We also aim to give you as much freedom in your programme as possible. Thus the daily programme will include many options you can choose of, at least one of this option is guided, for the others you get information. We travel by train which is very comfortable in Switzerland because the comfort and the connection possibilities are high. Furthermore it allows you to stay longer at a place you like and join with the next train. Only the overnight points are fixed: We stay in youth hostels which is the cheap and comfortable.
On the one hand you see many beautiful places: historic and dynamic towns,beautiful lakes, stunning landscapes and mountains.
On the other hand you get to know the national identity of Switzerland. Therefore we organise activities (all optional) such as talks with members of parliament or journalists, visit a sport or cultural event, wine tasting or Swiss dinners.
All that should be possible to a very low price, it's a non-profit tour (see information under The Costs)! Everybody is welcome! The tour is unique and only offered once from 14.April-20.April 2009 (just after Easter). Guides speak surely English, French and German, perhaps Spanish, Italian and Russian.
We also aim to give you as much freedom in your programme as possible. Thus the daily programme will include many options you can choose of, at least one of this option is guided, for the others you get information. We travel by train which is very comfortable in Switzerland because the comfort and the connection possibilities are high. Furthermore it allows you to stay longer at a place you like and join with the next train. Only the overnight points are fixed: We stay in youth hostels which is the cheap and comfortable.
We are generally very open to your personal needs and wishes – just let us know. If you discover a spot you really like on the trip, you can go back there afterwards for some days – we’re glad to find you a hostel.
Tour Route
Day 1: Zurich– Baden – Berne – Thun –Gstaad –Montreux
We start our tour at Zurich Mainstation and head directly to Baden, a small historic town with hot springs and castle remains. We have lunch in Berne, the capital. You get the chance to vist the House of Parliament and to learn about the special Swiss political system. Thun is especially known as army capital, so it's needed to expain the meaning of "Switzerland hasn't an army, it is an army". But don't mind, we can also vist the old town and the castle. Later we travel on the famous GoldenPassLine to Montreux, stopping in Gstaad, a chic ski resort.
Day 2: Montreux – Geneva – Lausanne
This day we spend around Lake Geneva: In contrast to yesterday we are now in the French speaking area with a slightly different mentality. We start the day with a visit to the famous Chillon Castle at lakeside. Then we head to Geneva, not without stopping in the beautiful wineyards before. Geneva is Switzerland's international center, hosting many international organisations. Here you get the UN,the Red Cross, art galleries, science at the CERN and the old town and of course you can have an international meal. Lausanne is not easy to walk because it is built on a slope, fortunately a metro connects the seaside (Olympic museum) with the old town. Here you shouln't miss the fine gothic cathedral.
Day 3: Lausanne – Martigny – Sion – Zermatt
We leave the Lake Geneva and dive into the Rhone Valley of Wallis before going up the way to Zermatt. Of course you see the famous Matterhorn, you can go up by cablecar to its neighbour, the Little Matterhorn an marvel at the magnificent glacier or take a mountain train drive to the Gornergrat. For those less interesting in mountaining there's the possiblity to spend time in Sion an Martigny exploring some museums and castles.
Day 4: Zermatt – Domodossola – Locarno
Today our aim is the Italian part of Switzerland, where you feel strong Italian influence in weather and food. A part of our train journey even passes through Italy. We arrive in the late afternoon in Locarno so you get enough time to explore the town or to go on Cardada, Locarno's house mountain with stunning views over Lake Maggiore. Mountain walking, paragliding or mountain biking is also an option. For town-lovers, it isn't far to Lugano and Bellinzona neither.
Day 5: Locarno – Schaffhausen – Stein am Rhein - St.Gallen
From the south to the top north and then far east. That means for Switzerland less than 6 hours train ride. On the way to Schaffhausen we pass through the Gotthard tunnel, beside Lake Lucerne and Zurich. Schaffhausen welcomes you with the Rhinefall, Europe's biggest waterfall and with the Munot fortress and of course with an old town. But the architectural highlite of the day is the small town Stein am Rhein with Switzerland's most beautiful town square. Along Lake Constance we still reach St.Gallen.
Day 6: St.Gallen–Lucerne
We don't miss exploring St.Gallen in the morning, especially not the World Heritage-listed cathedral complex and the abbey library. Then we board the Voralpen-Express, which theoretically takes you directly to Lucerne. But why not take a break on the way to relax in Europe's biggest waterpark, the Alpamare or spend a part of the way by ship on Lake Lucerne. However, the touristic capital Lucerne is really very nice, offering you a great old town on the seaside, many historic museums and many shopping opportunities.
Day 7: Lucerne – Zurich
Time to say goodbye. But before we enjoy our last day. A good option in the morning would be to climb Mt Pilatus, so you get nice views over Lake Lucerne. Finally we take a walk through Zurich, Switzerlands biggest town and financial capital. Many churches, the Swiss National Museum, art gallerys or the zoo are some ideas. Or open a bank account at a nice Swiss Bank where your money is well-protected by our bank secret;) If you still have energy, go clubbing the night!
We start our tour at Zurich Mainstation and head directly to Baden, a small historic town with hot springs and castle remains. We have lunch in Berne, the capital. You get the chance to vist the House of Parliament and to learn about the special Swiss political system. Thun is especially known as army capital, so it's needed to expain the meaning of "Switzerland hasn't an army, it is an army". But don't mind, we can also vist the old town and the castle. Later we travel on the famous GoldenPassLine to Montreux, stopping in Gstaad, a chic ski resort.
Day 2: Montreux – Geneva – Lausanne
This day we spend around Lake Geneva: In contrast to yesterday we are now in the French speaking area with a slightly different mentality. We start the day with a visit to the famous Chillon Castle at lakeside. Then we head to Geneva, not without stopping in the beautiful wineyards before. Geneva is Switzerland's international center, hosting many international organisations. Here you get the UN,the Red Cross, art galleries, science at the CERN and the old town and of course you can have an international meal. Lausanne is not easy to walk because it is built on a slope, fortunately a metro connects the seaside (Olympic museum) with the old town. Here you shouln't miss the fine gothic cathedral.
Day 3: Lausanne – Martigny – Sion – Zermatt
We leave the Lake Geneva and dive into the Rhone Valley of Wallis before going up the way to Zermatt. Of course you see the famous Matterhorn, you can go up by cablecar to its neighbour, the Little Matterhorn an marvel at the magnificent glacier or take a mountain train drive to the Gornergrat. For those less interesting in mountaining there's the possiblity to spend time in Sion an Martigny exploring some museums and castles.
Day 4: Zermatt – Domodossola – Locarno
Today our aim is the Italian part of Switzerland, where you feel strong Italian influence in weather and food. A part of our train journey even passes through Italy. We arrive in the late afternoon in Locarno so you get enough time to explore the town or to go on Cardada, Locarno's house mountain with stunning views over Lake Maggiore. Mountain walking, paragliding or mountain biking is also an option. For town-lovers, it isn't far to Lugano and Bellinzona neither.
Day 5: Locarno – Schaffhausen – Stein am Rhein - St.Gallen
From the south to the top north and then far east. That means for Switzerland less than 6 hours train ride. On the way to Schaffhausen we pass through the Gotthard tunnel, beside Lake Lucerne and Zurich. Schaffhausen welcomes you with the Rhinefall, Europe's biggest waterfall and with the Munot fortress and of course with an old town. But the architectural highlite of the day is the small town Stein am Rhein with Switzerland's most beautiful town square. Along Lake Constance we still reach St.Gallen.
Day 6: St.Gallen–Lucerne
We don't miss exploring St.Gallen in the morning, especially not the World Heritage-listed cathedral complex and the abbey library. Then we board the Voralpen-Express, which theoretically takes you directly to Lucerne. But why not take a break on the way to relax in Europe's biggest waterpark, the Alpamare or spend a part of the way by ship on Lake Lucerne. However, the touristic capital Lucerne is really very nice, offering you a great old town on the seaside, many historic museums and many shopping opportunities.
Day 7: Lucerne – Zurich
Time to say goodbye. But before we enjoy our last day. A good option in the morning would be to climb Mt Pilatus, so you get nice views over Lake Lucerne. Finally we take a walk through Zurich, Switzerlands biggest town and financial capital. Many churches, the Swiss National Museum, art gallerys or the zoo are some ideas. Or open a bank account at a nice Swiss Bank where your money is well-protected by our bank secret;) If you still have energy, go clubbing the night!
Note
To get to know the Swiss identity, we organise activities such as talks with members of parliament, visit a sport or cultural event, wine tasting or Swiss dinners. This activities will be listed in the detail programme in March because they aren't clear yet. But in any case there will be a selection of such activities.
To get to know the Swiss identity, we organise activities such as talks with members of parliament, visit a sport or cultural event, wine tasting or Swiss dinners. This activities will be listed in the detail programme in March because they aren't clear yet. But in any case there will be a selection of such activities.
Optional Day 8 with the ESNtrain: Zurich - Vienna (Bratislava)
ESN (Erasmus Student Network) is a European wide student organisation and one of their projects is the ESNtrain which travels across Europe from end of March until the 21 April. You would have the chance to join them on their last sector (Tuesday 21 April) from Zurich (leaving midnight) to Vienna/Bratislava travelling through St.Gallen, Munich and Linz. The exact timetable of the train and further information you find under http://www.esntrain.org/ . This additonal train package costs only 50 Euros in a 6 people compartment and 80 Euros in a 3 people compartment including train and guidance, breakfast and registration fee. You can book it directly with TheSwissTour.Those participating on this ESN-sector can also join the ESN-crew already on Monday afternoon on their trip to the Sechseläuten-Festival in Zurich.
Tour Costs
As said in the introduction, that is a non-profit-tour which we just offer for fun and to show you something. Thus you only pay what you would pay when travelling on your own (and you profit from group discounts) and a small tour fee to cover our own expenses. Nevertheless, keep in mind the Switzerland is an expensive country...
The following costs apply - please use an online converter for your currency:
- Tour fee (140-150Fr)
- Accomodation (240Fr + 23Fr if we are less than 10 people)
- Train (0Fr-376Fr)
- Lunch&Dinner (250Fr+)
- Optional daily activities&baggage (depends on you)
The tour fee is 140Fr for people younger than 26 and 150Fr for people older than 26.
Accommodation is in youth hostels (http://www.youthhostel.ch/) which is quite confortable and including breakfast buffet (and dinner in Zermatt). We take a group membership, so you don't need a single membership. Rooms vary between 4-8 beds and are only for our group members. However, you can upgrade in a single or double room (allow the double price).
Tour fee and accommodation has to be paid in advance just after your booking because we have to pay the accommodation in advance also (see booking conditions)
For train we recommend that you take a Swiss pass (http://www.swisstravelsytem.ch/), which includes all train,buses and ships, 50% on most mountain trains and cable cars and free entrance to many museums. Everybody not living in Switzerland can buy this pass and it costs 287Fr (under 26) or 376Fr (over 26). However we should get 15% discount on it when we buy it together. Those interested in that will meet 1h before tour start, we can buy it directly then, you need only an ID/Passport! For those wanting to travel in first class, the pass costs about 2/3 more, but it is not necessary because second class is very comfortable and generally not full (we don't have reserved seats) and you could still upgrade in case of. The Swiss Pass is valid for 8 days, so you can still go on one day on your own after the tour.
For Europeans is also the possibility to take an interrail-ticket (http://www.interrail.net/) but you have to compare prices.
For train we recommend that you take a Swiss pass (http://www.swisstravelsytem.ch/), which includes all train,buses and ships, 50% on most mountain trains and cable cars and free entrance to many museums. Everybody not living in Switzerland can buy this pass and it costs 287Fr (under 26) or 376Fr (over 26). However we should get 15% discount on it when we buy it together. Those interested in that will meet 1h before tour start, we can buy it directly then, you need only an ID/Passport! For those wanting to travel in first class, the pass costs about 2/3 more, but it is not necessary because second class is very comfortable and generally not full (we don't have reserved seats) and you could still upgrade in case of. The Swiss Pass is valid for 8 days, so you can still go on one day on your own after the tour.
For Europeans is also the possibility to take an interrail-ticket (http://www.interrail.net/) but you have to compare prices.
People having the SBB General Abo can of course use it and thus pay no transportation! Also the Halftax-Abo and Gleis 7 are an option - you pay about 250Fr extra.
Breakfast is included in the accommodation but lunch and dinner you have to pay on your own. Prices vary of course: you can eat for 5Fr in a supermarket, but a restaurant is at least 15Fr, rather 30Fr or more if not simple).
There are always free daily activities or very cheap activities (museums) but bear in mind that some activities are costly (paragliding etc).
The disadvantage when travelling by train is that we have to store our baggabe on pit-stop-destinations. We will try to organise friends of us to do that, however allow 8Fr a day for baggage storage (lockers in every train station). We offer the possibility to store a part of your baggage privately during the journey (we take it the first day and give it back the last in Zurich).
Breakfast is included in the accommodation but lunch and dinner you have to pay on your own. Prices vary of course: you can eat for 5Fr in a supermarket, but a restaurant is at least 15Fr, rather 30Fr or more if not simple).
There are always free daily activities or very cheap activities (museums) but bear in mind that some activities are costly (paragliding etc).
The disadvantage when travelling by train is that we have to store our baggabe on pit-stop-destinations. We will try to organise friends of us to do that, however allow 8Fr a day for baggage storage (lockers in every train station). We offer the possibility to store a part of your baggage privately during the journey (we take it the first day and give it back the last in Zurich).
Booking conditions
1. You are responsible for your insurance, no insurance is included in the tour. You are in every moment of the tour self-responsible for you and your acts, we decline every responsibility.
2. We strive to offer you an excellent tour, however if you are not satisfied with something there's no refund. There's no refund neither for tour changes that are not our faults, for our faults we give an appropriate refund of the tour fee, depending on the time of the tour concerned. We guarantee to be at least one guide (probably we are 2 ore even 3, depending on the number of people participating in the tour). The availability of 3 guides secures that. However, if no guide is available due to a higher power, the complete tour fee will be refunded and you get the tour dossier to guide yourself.
3. If you can't come to the tour or want to withdraw, no refund of tour fee and accommodation can be given (because we don't get a refund either from the hostels), except we or you find another person coming. It's not possible to make an annulation cost insurance.
4. The tour will take place in any case. Not more than 25 people (except guides) are on the tour.
Booking&Contact
For questions for the Tour of April 2010 please write an email kevinkienast@hotmail.com
For booking (you cannot book yet for April 2010)
1.) Send us a mail kevinkienast@hotmail.com with your booking intention and your full address with a phone number (all information is kept in confidence and not used for other purpose) and indicating if you use a Swiss bank account or a foreign to pay. Also indicate if you come to buy the Swiss Pass directly before the journey with us (15% discounts, see costs) and if you like an annulation cost insurance (see booking conditions).
2.) We will send you the bank details needed by mail , please pay within 15 days (the amount needed to pay in advance depends on your housing and tour costs and will be indicated in the mail ). Credit cards and other forms of payments are not possible.
3.) Within 5 days after your payment you get a confirmation mail, now you are definitely booked:)
4.) The tour booklet with detailed information about the tour route and Switzerland will be send by mail at the end of March
For booking (you cannot book yet for April 2010)
1.) Send us a mail kevinkienast@hotmail.com with your booking intention and your full address with a phone number (all information is kept in confidence and not used for other purpose) and indicating if you use a Swiss bank account or a foreign to pay. Also indicate if you come to buy the Swiss Pass directly before the journey with us (15% discounts, see costs) and if you like an annulation cost insurance (see booking conditions).
2.) We will send you the bank details needed by mail , please pay within 15 days (the amount needed to pay in advance depends on your housing and tour costs and will be indicated in the mail ). Credit cards and other forms of payments are not possible.
3.) Within 5 days after your payment you get a confirmation mail, now you are definitely booked:)
4.) The tour booklet with detailed information about the tour route and Switzerland will be send by mail at the end of March
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)