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 If the entire world's a stage, then Switzerland is its most spectacular set! Join Hermes Tours as we explore magnificent alpine vistas, charming mountainside villages, and lovely lakeside cities. You'll delight in the most incredible train journey you're ever likely to take, past snow-capped peaks and pristine valleys. You're sure to agree that Switzerland serves as an unforgettable opening act to Oberammergau's Passion Play. We've got your tickets to this treasured 370-year tradition!
 • Geneva, including the Old Town, St. Pierre Cathedral, Jet d'eau, and panoramic tour of Belle Epoque palaces, United Nations, World Health Organization, and Red Cross
• Castle of Chillon
• Zermatt & Matterhorn, including cog railway to Gornergrat
• Scenic Glacier Express train to St. Moritz
• Oberammergau Passion Play, including 3-course lunch and 3-course dinner
• Liechtenstein, -the smallest German speaking country in the world - photo stop and coffee break
• Lucerne orientation tour
• Lake Lucerne Dinner Cruise
• Zurich, including Old Town and Niederdorf
• Accommodations for 11 nights in 4-star hotels
• Services of a Hermes Tours escort
• Services of an expert, local guide in all cities
• $125 per person savings if you reserve by July 31 2009!
• Optional Helicopter Tour of Matterhorn
• This tour will sell out fast! It is only possible to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau once every 10 years. Reserve your space now!
Day 1 - August 27, 2010, Friday
Arrive in Geneva today, Switzerland's largest French-speaking city. En route to our hotel, you'll enjoy an introduction to the Genovese and the gay scene here. Tonight, enjoy our special Hermes welcome dinner.
Overnight Hotel Cornavin or similar.
Meal: D
 Day 2 - August 28, 2010, Saturday
Today we tour the old and new cities. Visit the Cathédrale St-Pierre where John Calvin preached, then drive past lakeside Belle Epoque palaces. We'll also see the lake's famous jet d'eau, or water jet, shooting 160 feet into the air, and later pass by the United Nations, World Health Organization, and Red Cross headquarters. After lunch, explore on your own.
Overnight: Hotel Cornavin or similar.
Meal: B
 Day 3 - August 29, 2010, Sunday
Today we drive along the stunning shores of Lake Geneva past Lausanne and the resort city of Montreaux, which Freddie Mercury called home. Our first stop is the breathtaking Castle of Chillon, set on the lake's shores. Later, we arrive in the alpine village of Zermatt by cog railway. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Matterhornblick, Zermatt or similar.
Meal: B
 Day 4 - August 30, 2010, Monday
You're sure to fall in love with Zermatt's alpine setting and clean air. Only electric vehicles are permitted here to protect the views of the Matterhorn. We'll hop a mountain tram up to Gornergrat, for terrific views of the famed peak. Later, enjoy a free afternoon and maybe a spa, or join an optional helicopter tour of the Matterhorn. Dinner is on your own.
Overnight: Hotel Matterhornblick, Zermatt or similar.
Meal: B
 Day 5 - August 31, 2010, Tuesday
This morning, we'll board the Swiss Glacier Express, and skirt past soaring alpine peaks. Arrive in St. Moritz late this afternoon.
Overnight: Laudinella Hotel, St. Moritz or similar
Meal: B
 Day 6 - September 1, 2010, Wednesday
Continue our adventure as we drive through the Alps into Austria, and arrive in Bavarian Oberammergau.
Overnight: Schilcherhof Oberammergau Hotel
Meal: B, D
 Day 7 - September 2, 2010, Thursday
Today is the centerpiece of our trip. The world famous, 5-hour performance runs every ten years to fulfill this village's promise to God for having spared them of the Black Plague during the Thirty Years War. The original performance was in 1634. A milestone event for dramatists and travelers alike!
Overnight: Schilcherhof Oberammergau Hotel
Meal: B, L, D
 Day 8 - September 3, 2010, Friday
After breakfast we journey to Liechtenstein, the smallest German-speaking country in the world nestled between the Rhine River and the Alps. Later, arrive in Lucerne, in Switzerland's geographic center – where breathtaking scenery and medieval history appears around every corner.
Overnight: NH Luzern Hotel or similar
Meal: B
 Day 9 - September 4, 2010, Saturday
After an orientation tour, explore this alpine gem on your own. Tonight we enjoy a Dinner Cruise on magnificent Lake Lucerne.
Overnight: NH Luzern Hotel or similar
Meal: B, D
 Day 10 - September 5, 2010, Sunday
We head to Zurich today, the largest Swiss city. During our tour, you'll learn about the gay scene in the Niederdorf quarter of the Old Town. Your afternoon is free to relax in its cafes, and explore the rest of the historic district.
Overnight: Best Western Montana Hotel, Zurich or similar
Meal: B
 Day 11 - September 6, 2010, Monday
Explore Switzerland’s gayest city on your own!
Overnight: Best Western Montana Hotel, Zurich or similar
Meal: B
Day 12 - September 7, 2010, Tuesday
This morning is the end of our tour. You are free to make your return flight for any time today.
Meal: B
Geneva:
The completely renovated Hotel Cornavin enjoys an ideal and quiet location in the very heart of Geneva, just 1 minute from the train station and 5 minutes from the international organisations.
Surrounded by banks and shops, the hotel is also very close to the lake and is one of the most modern hotels in town.
A special feature is the world.s largest pendulum - it hangs from the ninth floor and swings right down to the ground floor in the lobby of the hotel. The total length is 30.02 metres.
The panoramic view of Geneva from the breakfast floor (eighth floor) is particularly impressive.
Zermatt:
Enjoy our comfortable and relaxed atmosphere - lots of hand carved wood, spacious areas, and our own spa, together with the unforced friendliness of the family Julen, make Hotel Matterhornblick a perfect place to start your daily excursions into the moutains from.
All of Matterhornblick's double rooms are very comfortably equipped. With your room's TV you can already check out the latest ski, wind, temperatures and the currently opened lifts and runs. Part of our rooms are modelled in a light Arven wood, the others in a darker spruce. All double rooms have a bathtub and shower wall. The single rooms are exclusively under the roof and have large skylights and a shower/WC.
All of Matterhornblick's bathrooms are newly rennovated and come equipped with a large mirror and hair dryer. The balconys, some of which have a free view of the Matterhorn, are a great place to relax.
St. Moritz:
The Hotel Laudinella enjoys a quiet location in St. Moritz-Bad and offers you superb views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, 5 restaurants and up-to-date wellness facilities.
The Signal cable car is only a few minutes' walk away and from the nearby public bus stop you can get to the centre of St. Moritz within 5 minutes.
5 restaurants, 2 bars and a take-away with a terrace promise a special dining experience. Choose between French, Indian and Asian show-cooking cuisine, pizza, Swiss Fondue and Raclette or opt for take-away Thai food and sandwiches. All guest rooms at the Laudinella hotel offer views of the surrounding mountains and about half of them have a balcony. Wellness facilities include a lounge terrace on the fifth floor with great views towards the lake, the village and the mountains. The fitness facilities are accessible free of charge.
Wireless internet access is available free of charge.
Oberammergau:
The Schilcherhof Hotel is owned and managed in the fourth generation by the Schilcher-Thilo family.
It is not too large, just right to feel well.
The Hotel Der Schilcherhof with its beautiful garden is
ideally situated between the Railway Station and the
Passionplay Theatre and within minutes from the
town centre and its amenties.
The Hotel lounge and the rooms have
W-LAN Internet access
The Hotel Der Schilcherhof has 20 Doublerooms,
5 Singlerooms and one Suite.
The breakfast room, decorated in traditional Bavarian style,
offers ample space for all our guests.
Lucerne:
300 metres from the lake, 5 minutes from the A2 highway exits Zentrum (centre) and Süd (south) and a 10-minute walk from the train station, this is a convenient and cosy place to stay.
The main sights like the Kappell bridge, the Lion's monument, the Jesuits' church, the old town and the Musegg wall are easily reachable by public transport or on foot from the NH Luzern hotel. Are you arranging a meeting or a conference or just want to spend a couple of untroubled days in this beautiful city and let yourself be pampered by delicious cuisine? The "NH Luzern" offers an experienced team, doing its best to fulfil all your needs, modern and bright guest rooms and function rooms with modern infrastructure.
Zurich:
The recently renovated BW Hotel Montana is located at only 3 minutes from the main railway station in the heart of downtown Zurich. The rooms are an eye catcher for those who appreciate urban lifestyle and individual design. The hot breakfast buffet, room service and its location of course add to its popularity and exceed your expectations of midrange hospitality.
Hotel's French bistro 'Le Lyonnais' will make your stay a gastronomically delightful experience. Specials: Flammkuchen.
Hotel offers a lounge, safety deposit boxes, laundry service, wireless-LAN and shuttle services.
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Services of professional gay tour guide throughout the trip. Accommodations as listed, rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges. All meals as per itinerary, Transportation in luxury air-conditioned mini coach. Entrance fees to all sites on itinerary.
Round-trip air transportation to/from Switzerland; transfers to/from airports, meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes and any other expenses of a personal nature. Usual tips to drivers and guides are not included.
