Nothing says winter like a picture perfect Swiss Alpine village or ski resort. Ski or snowboard all day, dine and sun bake on the decks of panoramic restaurants located a mile high, relax by the fire sipping Glühwein, maybe have a dip in the hot tub or party into the night and dish out those Francs for schnapps. With the season approaching, Switzerland is an inviting destination for any ski buff or bunny and there a variety of packages to help make it affordable. For the sophisticated traveler looking for cosmopolitan cities to practice several languages (French, German, Italian and even the local Rumantsch), you can't go past the historic and picturesque centers of Zürich, Geneva, Bern, Lugano and Lausanne.
All Mountain Vacations (tel. 800/838-8142; www.all-mountain.com) is currently offering six different Swiss ski packages in three different ski regions -- Bernese Oberland, Valais and Graubunden. While these may not be household names, you may be more familiar with the ski resorts themselves. For example its eight-day St Moritz package from January 12-20, 2007 is priced from $1,604 per person based on double occupancy from New York or Boston. St Moritz is a renowned resort for both its runs and its aprés ski life. Situated in the middle of the Upper Engadine, it covers four ski areas -- Corviglia, Margus, Corvatsch and Diavolezza/Lagalp with one ski pass. With over 218 miles of snow covered runs at altitudes from 5,600 to 9,900 feet, take in the panoramic view of surrounding mountains, crystal clear lakes while brushing up on your downhill style. The package includes round-trip airfare Zürich, round-trip rail/bus transfers between the airport and the St Moritz, seven nights' lodging in St. Moritz at the centrally located three-star Hotel Loeffler and half board (with daily breakfast buffet and three course dinner). Other departure cities are available including Chicago from $1,648, Atlanta from $1,700, San Francisco, Seattle or Los Angeles from $166 or $1,785 from Denver.
For a ski/snowboard adventure taking in five different resorts, the "Snow Safari from Interlaken" takes you to Wengen, Grindelwald, Muerren, Gstaad and Meiringen-Halsberg. The adventure includes round-trip airfare to Zürich, seven nights' lodging in the three-star Chalet Oberland Hotel in Interlaken, breakfast and dinner at the hotel daily, local taxes, all transfers from your hotel to the ski resorts and a Swiss Rail transfer ticket. The trip from January 12 to 20, 2007 is priced from $1,344 per person from New York or Boston, $1,389 from Chicago, $1440 from Atlanta, $1,506 from San Francisco, Seattle or Los Angeles or $1,525 from Denver.The classic Jungfrau snow-sports region is centrally positioned amongst the mighty Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks and offers over 600 miles of groomed and off piste runs.
Ensure a white Christmas this year with a trip to Zermatt. The eight-day "Christmas in Zermatt" package is from December 22 to 30, 2007 and is priced from $1,824 per person, based on double occupancy.Zermatt stands in the shadow of the mighty Matterhorn, one of Europe's tallest and most imposing peaks. It is known for its traditional atmosphere and the fact that it is car-free -- only electric-cars, horse-drawn sleighs and carriages are allowed. There are three major ski areas -- the Sunnegga, Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn -- with more than 75 lifts providing access to over 150 miles of groomed runs up to 13,000 feet above sea level. More than 30 on-mountain restaurants and bars add to the allure and you can even ski to Cervinia in Italy for lunch (make sure you bring your passport!). Even if you don't ski, enjoy a plethora of other activities like horse-drawn sleigh rides, winter walking paths, shopping, helicopter sightseeing tours, ice skating, curling, indoor tennis or just relaxing at one of the many cafes and delicious pastry shops. The Zermatt Christmas package includes round-trip airfare to Geneva, round-trip rail/bus transfers between airport and resort and seven nights' lodging in Zermatt at the four-star Park Hotel Beau Site with half board (daily Breakfast and five course dinner plus a special Christmas dinner). The trip is priced from $1,964 per person from New York or Boston, $1,824 from Chicago, $1,876 from Atlanta, $1,942 from San Francisco, Seattle or Los Angeles or $1,961 from Denver.
The Swiss Holidays Inc. (tel. 866/467-9477; www.theswissholidays.com) features a selection of land-only Swiss tours at affordable prices. Its seven-day "Exclusive Switzerland" is priced at $777 per person based on double occupancy and visits Interlaken, Lucerne and Zürich. Starting in Zürich, the package includes six nights' accommodations in three-star hotels (two nights in each of the three destinations), breakfast daily, excursions to Jungfraujoch (the highest railway station in Europe), Mystery Park and Mt. Pilatus (by steep cogwheel railway), a cruise on lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, motor coach transportation and train travel by Swiss Rail. Its four-day "Swiss Mountain Peaks" package departs from Zürich and takes you to Interlaken, Schilthorn, then to Engelberg, Titlis and back to Zürich. Priced at $472 per person based on double occupancy staying in three-star hotels and $587 at four-star properties, these prices are valid for travel from now untilNovember 12, 2006 and from November 25 to December 20, 2006). The trip includes the Swiss Card Swiss Mountain Peaks, with four airport or border transfers and excursions to Schilthorn and Titlis, three nights' accommodations (one in Engelberg, one in Interlaken and one in Zürich) and breakfast daily. Any additional tickets for travel by rail, boat and cable cars can be purchased at 25-50 percent of the regular fares.
Go Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com) has numerous Swiss city and mountain packages, including its "Swiss Christmas Markets" special. Travel between November 29 and December 14, 2006 and pay only $899 per person based on double occupancy for this seven-day trip. The package includes round-trip airfare to Zürich from New York, airline fuel surcharges, six nights' accommodations (three at the three-star Minotel Waldhorn in Bern and three at the Montana Hotel Zürich), round-trip second class rail between Zürich and Bern, continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service charges. Travel between December 15 and 31, 2006 and pay $200 more. Add $30 from Boston, $70 from Washington, D.C., $90 from Miami or Detroit, $100 from Atlanta or Chicago and $160 from Los Angeles. Purchase deadline is October 19, 2006.
For a touch of Italian Switzerland, its "Lugano and St Moritz" package starts off in Milan and then takes you to the Ticino region followed by a stay in glamorous St Moritz. This seven-night vacation, includes round-trip airfare to Milan, airline fuel surcharges, second class train ticket from Milan to Lugano, a scenic ride aboard the Palm Express (part of the Swiss postbus system) to St Moritz, seven nights' accommodations in standard and tourist class hotels (three in Lugano at Minotel Colorado and three in St Moritz at Loffler Hotel and one in Milan at the Roitter Hotel), continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service charges. This trip departs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only and is priced from $1,379 per person for travel from November 1 to December 14, 2006. Add $20 for departures from December 15 to March 7, 2007 and $40 from March 8 to 25, 2007. Add $70 from Tampa, $80 from Boston, $100 from Detroit, Atlanta or Dallas and $150 from Los Angeles.
1800 Fly Europe (tel. 800/FLY-EUROPE; www.1800flyeurope.com) can always get you to Switzerland for a discounted rate. Its current winter fly/drive packages include round-trip airfare, airline fuel surcharges and three days of economy car rental. Travel to Zürich from New York from November 1 to December 13, 2006 or from December 26, 2006 to March 31, 2007 and pay as little as $519 per person plus taxes based on two people traveling together. For straight airfare to Zürich, the following deals are available for travel from November 1 to December 13, 2006 or from January 9 to March 31, 2007. These flights must be purchased by October 20, 2006.
- Boston:$489
- New York:$499
- Detroit:$539
- Washington, D.C.:$559
- Atlanta or Miami:$589
- Los Angeles/San Francisco:$649
For more information about traveling to Switzerland visit www.frommers.com/destinations/switzerland or another great resource for ideas and Swiss travel inspiration is www.myswitzerland.com.
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