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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth Gold (508) 698-6810, classic.pr@verizon.net
Discover the Beauty and Majesty of Switzerland on New Walking Vacations from Cross Country International
Millbrook, NY—June 6, 2005—Want a vacation that's worth writing home about? Picture yourself standing before the majestic Swiss Alps, hiking near the Matterhorn, touring charming alpine villages, or sampling fantastic cuisine. With four fabulous walking vacations in Switzerland, Cross Country International (CCI), the world's premier adventure travel agency, has the perfect way to add adventure and excitement to your next vacation.
The Secrets of Switzerland
Cross Country International's Secrets of Switzerland getaway is set in the heart of the Swiss state of Valais, the sunniest state in the country. Guests follow a walking trail through the Anniviers valley near the famed Matterhorn.
The first stop is the impressive Roc d'Orxival with a magnificent view of the Moiry Lake and the Rhone valley floor. Next, guests explore Zinal, one of the oldest tourist resorts in Switzerland. Located nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, Zinal affords some of the most spectacular views of the Weisshorn, the Zinal Rothorn, and the Dent Blanche mountains.
Continuing even further up the Anniviers valley, guests dine in a cozy mountain hut situated at the foot of the mighty Zinal Glacier. After a stroll along the glacier, and back to Zinal, visitors have the opportunity to explore an 18th century peasant house, copper mines and the Saint Barthelemy Chapel.
Day five features a visit to St. Luc, a bustling ski resort in the winter and a great place to visit in the summer. St. Luc boasts ancient watermills, flower-filled balconies, and unique views of the Matterhorn. In the evening, guests can stay at the Hotel Bella Tola and relax in its outdoor heated spa!
Finally, a ride on a funicular mountain cable railway takes guests to the Francois-Xavier-Bagnoud observatory (and the planetary way) where mysteries of the solar system are revealed. A Botanical walk introduces visitors to the abundant flora of the Alps as they make their way back to Bella Tola.
For more information about this vacation, including a full daily itinerary, please visit The Secrets of Switzerland page on Cross Country International's website: http://www.walkingvacations.com/walking-vacations/switz_secret_walk.php
Program Includes:
- Six nights accommodations in 3-Star authentic Swiss hotels
- Five days of guided walking (cable car and train fares included)
- Breakfast and dinner each day (lunches not included)
- English-speaking guide
- Luggage transfers, airport transfers, and tax
Difficulty of Walk:
- Six to 11 miles per day with the option of shorter walks
- Mainly alpine paths which are occasionally steep
- Altitudes of up to approximately 9,500 feet
- Ascents and descents can be avoided with help of cable cars
Program Dates and Pricing:
- June 19-25; July 3-9; August 20-26; September 3-9
- $1,595 per person
- $175 single supplement
Switzerland's Classic Walk
Switzerland's Classic Walk features beautiful villages set in picturesque countryside, charming castles, fabulous cuisine, and some of the best views on Earth. These walking trails take guests into well-known villages such as Gstaad, a ski resort for the rich and famous, that showcases lovely meadows of wildflowers and crystal-clear lakes in the summer.
Guests will have a chance to visit the castle of Chateau d'Oex. The castle sits atop a hill with lovely views of the surrounding countryside. The land represents the perfect image of Switzerland with cowbells in the distance, chalets whose images could have come off a box of Swiss chocolates, multitudes of flowers and mighty mountains towering in the distance.
“The Switzerland Classic Walk is one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty and wonder of this awe-inspiring land,” said Cross Country International President Karen Lancaster. “The pristine mountains and valleys, along with the splendor of the chateaus and castles give guests a real experience of Switzerland.”
Guests will travel to the La Pierreuse Nature Reserve where they will experience no less than 440 botanical species; 200 chamoi, marmots and royal eagles also inhabit the park. At the medieval castle in Gruyeres, guests can explore the grounds of this former seat of power in Switzerland and taste the fine cheeses that are made there. The H.R. Giger museum is the permanent home of the largest collection of work by the famous Swiss surrealist HR Giger, who was that Academy Award designer of Ridley Scott's movie Alien.
Switzerland's Classic Walk is considered a paradise for walkers and it features plenty of time to explore the mountains, villages and shops of this pristine landscape filled with natural beauty and history.
For more information about his vacation, including a full daily itinerary, please visit the Switzerland's Classic Walk page on Cross Country International's website http://www.walkingvacations.com/walking-vacations/switz_classic_walk.php.
Program Includes:
- Six nights hotel accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner each day
- Five guided walking day (Between 7-13 miles a day with option of shorter walk)
- Entrance fees, guide transfer at pre-set times, and tax
Program Dates and Pricing
- June 18-24, July 16-22, August 6-12 and September 17-23
- $1,595 per person
- $175 Single Supplement
Switzerland's Glacier Walk
Switzerland's Glacier Walk gives you the unique experience of seeing some of Switzerland's spectacular glaciers, including the mighty Aletsch Glacier, claimed to be Europe's longest and biggest glacier, with a length of 15 miles. The walk will take you to many of Switzerland's picturesque villages, including Munster, one of the only unspoiled villages in the region. The villages lies approximately 4500 feet above sea level and is well known for its fine chalets built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
From Munster you will walk to Hotel Belvedere in Oberwald, situated at the foot of the Rhone Glacier. There you can see the source of the Rhone River spouting out from the glacier. You can observe the glacier through a tunnel carved out by the owners of the gift shop.
The trail you will take to your next stop, Fiesch, will be easy to follow among the rare Swiss alpine flowers, overlooking the Goms valley and the Rhone Glacier. You will walk along the Higher Goms through forest and past small chapels in the charming village of Bellwald. Descending through tranquil pine forests will offer superb views over the small rustic villages of Reckingne, Ritzingne and Niederwald as you make your way to Fiesch.
After enjoying the invigorating walk you will have a chance to experience a indulgent soak in a saline pool in a hotel spa in Breiten, one of the true pleasures of the area. From the spa you will take a cable car up to the village of Morel at 7,000 feet or even higher to Moosflush at 7,300 feet. The spectacular walk will take you past the impressive Villa Cassel, Winston Churchhill's summer residence and then to the mighty Aletsch Glacier. Walking to Riederalp, which features a 9-hole golf course, the highest golf course in Switzerland, you will be able to go to a museum to see how Swiss cheese is made. You will have a chance to explore the villages of Riederalp and Bettmeralp before descending to Breiten either by cable car or by foot.
For more information about this vacation, including a full daily itinerary, please visit the Switzerland's Glacier Walk page on Cross Country International's website at http://www.walkingvacations.com/walking-vacations/switz_glacer_walk.php.
Program Includes:
- Six nights accommodations in a 3-Star Swiss Hotel
- Five days guided walking (approximately four-six hours a day)
- Cable car and train fares
Program Pricing
- $1,595 per person
- $174 single supplement
Switzerland's Mont Blanc Walk
Switzerland's Mont Blanc Walk takes guests along one of the finest routes in the Alps; the Mont Blanc circuit allows walkers to experience this fantastic this fantastic area through relaxing walking paths. It offers a breathtaking variety of spectacular scenery, from the Mont Blanc Massif glaciers to alpine lakes, and form mountain streams to charming villages. Nature preserves have protected the rare wild flora and fauna that abound in the higher reaches.
A visit up the spectacular Alguille de Midi (approximately 11,500 feet above sea level) will make you feel as if you are standing on top of the world. You then walk along the mountain streams to the valley bottom and to the town of Argentiere. During the next walking day you will cross from France into Switzerland to the village of Finhaut perched high in the mountains.
The use of cable cars and chairlifts enables you to ascend to your next destination, Emosson Lake. Prehistoric dinosaur tracks permeate the area. The Trient and Tete Noir gorges are awe-inspiring as you make your way to the mighty Trient glacier and Lac Champex. These natural wonder are among the best ways for guests to get in touch with themselves as they experience the environment and the people around them.
For more information about this vacation, including a full daily itinerary, please visit the Switzerland's Mont Blanc Walk page on Cross Country International's website at http://www.walkingvacations.com/walking-vacations/switz_montblanc_walk.php.
Program Includes:
- Six night hotel accommodations
- Five guided walking days
- Breakfast and dinner each day
- Cable car and train fares
- Guide, luggage transfer, and tax
Program Pricing
- $1,595 per person
- $175 single supplement
For more information on any of Cross Country International's numerous other walking and hiking vacations worldwide, please call (800) 828-8768, email info@xcintl.com, or visit www.walkingvacations.com.
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