IN FOCUS SWITZERLAND ON A HIGH


With its ski resorts in winter, mountains and lakes in summer and lively cities whatever the season, Switzerland is a destination with year-round appeal, says Dave Richardson


FACTFILE


Where to Book It Crystal Holidays


0871 230 8180; www.crystalholidays.co.uk The summer 2013 preview brochure includes the Hotel Monte Rosa in Zermatt, one of its top luxury hotels where seven nights’ half-board in September costs £1,411.


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Leger Holidays 0844 686 2983; www.leger.co.uk The coach tour operator offers the Austria and Switzerland Winter Spectacular tour, including the Glacier Express scenic rail journey and visits to Lucerne, Brienz and Interlaken. It costs £479 for seven days.


Inghams


Switzerland Tourism about half of all overnight stays by UK visitors at Swiss hotels are booked by tour operators. So, as it prepares to celebrate 150 years since the fi rst Thomas Cook escorted tour to the country in 1863, it’s worth having a fresh look at this year- round destination to see what it offers.


S


witzerland may be seen as a destination for ‘independent’ travellers, yet according to


Switzerland is known fi rst and


foremost as a mountain destination, and at this time of year thoughts turn to winter sports. Switzerland has never been cheap, but as market conditions continue to be tough you can expect a repeat of many of last winter’s money saving offers. For example, the eastern province of Graubunden


includes the exclusive mountain resort of Davos, which offered free use of ski lifts until December 23 last year, while tour operators often


pass on two-for-one lift pass offers. Another highlight of Graubunden is the Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt, one of many scenic rail journeys available throughout the


year. Other major ski resorts include Saas Fee, Verbier, Villars, Wengen and Grindelwald, with the latter two resorts sharing over 150 km of pistes.


By early next year the emphasis will change to summer lakes and holidays in the mountains and here again Switzerland excels. Most visitors prefer to stay beside one of the numerous lakes, and then take excursions up into the mountains – often by mountain railways using special tracks for the steep


gradients. Lake Lucerne is a favourite of many, with the bonus that Lucerne is also a cultural city of elegance and


Main: The Lavaux Vineyards near Lausanne are a UNESCO World Heritage Site


01483 791111; www.inghams/agents.co.uk A three-night fl exi-stay for skiers at the Hotel Meierhof, Davos, costs from £699 half-board, with fl ights from Gatwick and rail transfers to the resort.


Kuoni


01306 747008; www.kuoni.co.uk Three nights B&B at the three-star Hotel Falken, Wengen, in October cost from £499, with Swiss fl ights from Heathrow.


Dynamic Packaging easyJet fl ights from Gatwick or Luton to Zurich in September cost from about £63 return. Onward transport can be arranged by rail, and two nights at the luxury Hotel Eiger in Murren can be booked through www.myswitzerland. com from £347 for a double room, with excursions included – a 25% discount.


14 September/October 2012 • www.sellinglonghaul.com


thedeal seal


Chocs away: “Interlaken is an ideal base, and a visit


to the Café Schuh allows


you to indulge in exquisite chocolates”


LAUSANNE TOURISME


ENGADIN


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