Virtuoso Switzerland Study Tour.

Transcription

1 Virtuoso Switzerland Study Tour. September 1 st 8 th, Participants Mr. Mirko Capodanno, Switzerland Tourism, mirko.capodanno@switzerland.com (ST NA host) plus 9 advisors and one Virtuoso host. Total 11 people Mobile Phone Tour-Leader, Mirko Capodanno Topic and main interest: Luxury and outdoor travel. Local must sees tourism sites, Swiss Travel System, local gastronomy and traditions. Virtuoso hotel sight inspections. Most of the participants have never been to Switzerland. Goal: build knowledge for sales, how to get around and local customs and traditions. Important are travel distances, destination knowledge. Transport within & to Switzerland SWISS TRAVEL SYSTEM Ltd. is happy to provide you with a unique all-in-one 1st class travel ticket, the Swiss Travel Pass. This is the way you experience Switzerland by train, bus and boat - wherever and whenever you please! Your travel pass includes premium panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Line or Wilhelm Tell Express. Also included are: public transportation in more than 75 Swiss towns and cities, a 50% price reduction on most mountain railways and free admission to nearly 500 museums. Please ensure that you always carry your ticket with you. Highlights 2016: Travel along the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland 800 miles of epic panoramic railway journey. Find more information on SwissTravelSystem.com/grandtraintour. In December 2016, Switzerland will open the Gotthard Base Tunnel - the longest train tunnel in the world. Trade Corner: SwissTravelsystem.com/trade (for documentations and contact details) SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES: 'SWISS Choice makes travelling in SWISS Economy even more convenient, comfortable and enjoyable SWISS customers can add a number of individual services to enhance their air travel experience. In addition to the existing hold-the-booking and add-an-extra-piece-of-baggage facilities, the SWISS Choice range gives customers the options of reserving their preferred seat in advance, arranging an in-flight treat for themselves or a travel companion, pre-ordering in-flight duty-free items or purchasing the SWISS Mobile international pre-paid SIM card for lowest roaming charges. The selection of choices available is set to become even greater in the near future. (for bookings, travel information, SWISS products & services)

2 Thursday, September 1 st, :05 PM Departure at Chicago Airport (ORD) on LX 9 Friday, September 2 nd, :45 AM 1:00 PM 3:55 PM 4:15 PM 4:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:40 PM 7:00 PM Arrival at Zurich Airport (ZRH) on LX9 Train to St.Moritz Train arrives in St.Moritz Pick up by hotel bus Check-in Badrutt s Palace Hotel***** S in St. Moritz Set in the heart of St. Moritz amidst spectacular scenery, Badrutt s Palace Hotel has been an emblem of the resort since 1896 as well as a symbol of luxury and pioneering innovation in the Engadin. Time at leisure Meet at hotel lobby Welcome by Thorsten Frohn, representative from the Engadin St. Moritz Tourism Organization. Transfer to Muottas Muragl (8058 ft.) Introduction presentation about the destination by Thorsten Frohn. Mountain Dining Muottas Muragl The panoramic view from the Romantik Hotel and Restaurant Muottas Muragl is regarded as one of the finest anywhere. The spectacular sunsets are unforgettable: the perfect prelude to Mountain Dining in style. Overnight in St. Moritz 2

3 Saturday, September 3 rd, 2016 Individual breakfast 8:30 AM 8:40 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 1:30 PM 2:00 PM Meet at hotel lobby Transfer to the Alpine Cheese Dairy Morteratsch Brunch at Alpine Cheese Dairy At the Alpine Cheese Dairy, cheese and curd are made over an open fire. You can watch them being made by hand the traditional way, as well as taste the many varieties produced at the cheese buffet. The idyllic alpine hut is located close to the Morteratsch Glacier. Hiking tour to Morteratsch Glacier A walk along the Morteratsch Glacier Trail, meanwhile, reveals the secrets of the thirdlongest glacier in the Eastern Alps. Youngsters will enjoy following the stories in the Morteratsch children s book as they explore this glacial world, with a surprise in store at the end of the walk. Transfer to St. Moritz Site Inspection and Apero at the Carlton Hotel***** S This boutique hotel with 60 individual suites, including the Carlton Penthouse, redefines personalized luxury in relaxed, supremely elegant style. 3

4 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM Time at leisure Meet at hotel lobby Site Inspection and Dinner at Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains***** S A magnificent hotel: friendly, welcoming and refreshingly relaxed. Experience the best the mountain world has to offer: in the elegant rooms, the outstanding restaurants, the Kempinski Bar and the stylish Alpine spa. Overnight in St. Moritz Sunday, September 4 th, :30 AM Departure by train to Lugano on board the Bernina Express Possible door-to-door luggage service by SBB (TBC). (Departure from St. Moritz at 9:30 AM and arrival in Tirano at noon. Then, bus departure at 2:20 PM in Tirano and arrival at 5:30 PM in Lugano) 5:30 PM Arrival in Lugano (bus stop Lugano Stazione ) and transfer by hotel shuttle to your hotel 5:45 PM Check-in at the Villa Principe Leopoldo Hotel***** Villa Principe Leopoldo Hotel***** Via Montalbano Lugano Tel info@leopoldohotel.com 7:00 PM Meeting at the hotel lobby and site inspection with a representative of the hotel 4

5 7:30 PM Dinner at the hotel s restaurant with a representative of the hotel Overnight in Lugano: Villa Principe Leopoldo. Monday, September 5 th, 2016 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 AM Breakfast at your hotel Meeting at the hotel lobby with a representative of Ticino Turismo and transfer to Lugano s downtown Visit of Lugano s main attractions Lugano, the largest town in Ticino, is not only Switzerland's third most important financial centre but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of an excellent city, combined with the cachet of a small town. Lugano lies in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by the mounts San Salvatore and Brè offering splendid viewpoints. The traffic-free historic town centre, the famous exclusive-shopping street Via Nassa (with internationally known brands like Emporio Armani or Louis Vuitton) or the gourmet-street Via Pessina, the numerous buildings in Lombardy style, the exclusive museums, the mountains, lake and a packed calendar of events all invite visitors to see the sights and enjoy the "dolce vita". By the lakeside promenade are the Belvedere Garden, where the parkland boasts not only camellias and magnolias but also countless sub-tropical plants and modern works of art. Webcode :33 AM Transfer to Lugano-Paradiso by public bus 11:00 AM Excursion by funicular to Mount San Salvatore and short walk to the summit, from where you can enjoy a 360 panoramic view Funicolare Monte San Salvatore Via delle scuole 7 5

6 6900 Lugano-Paradiso Tel. +41 (0) The majestic San Salvatore (912 m) rises into the sky of Lugano, offering a unique perspective of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The funicular, that in 2010 celebrated its 120 anniversary, takes its guest to the summit in just a few minutes. From the arrival station, a path leads to the top of the mountain, proposing a permanent exhibition of tourist poster reproductions. The roof of the church surprises with a stunning 360 panoramic view. Webcode :00 PM 1:00 PM Light lunch at the Ristorante Vetta Return by funicular to Lugano-Paradiso 1:53 PM Boat excursion on Lake Lugano to Morcote 2:31 PM Arrival in Morcote and visit of the characteristic village. A stairway with over 400 steps leads directly up to the Santa Maria del Sasso church, which is enthroned above the village. Morcote is situated on the lakefront, 10 km from Lugano. With its characteristic small alleys, the arcades of old Patrician homes, valuable architectural monuments and its natural beauty, it is considered the Pearl of Ceresio". Morcote possesses incredible artistic monuments, like the 404 steps leading up to the impressive Renaissance Baroque church of Santa Maria del Sasso, considered the masterpiece of the Pre-Alps Region. For those who love the nature and peace of these places, the beautiful Scherrer Garden, full of exquisite subtropical flora on the lakefront, is the perfect setting. Webcode PM Return by public bus to Lugano s downtown 6

7 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM PM Arrival in Lugano and time at leisure. Individual return to your hotel (either by shuttle bus time schedule to be announced or by taxi at your own charge) Meeting with a representative of Ticino Turismo at the hotel lobby and transfer to a nearby grotto Dinner at a typical grotto Overnight in Lugano: Villa Principe Leopoldo Tuesday, September 6 th, 2016 AM 9:00 AM 9:27 AM 4:44 PM Breakfast at your hotel and check-out Transfer by hotel shuttle to the railway station Departure by train to Basel with the Wilhelm Tell Express. Door-to-door luggage transfer (TBC). (Departure from Lugano at 9:27 AM and arrival in Flüelen at 11:43 AM. In Flüelen, boat departure at noon and arrival in Lucerne at 2:47 PM. At 3:30 PM, departure by train to Basel) Arrival in Basel Welcome by Sales Representative of Basel Tourism Transfer by tram to the hotel 7

8 5:00 PM Check in at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois *****S Blumenrain 8 CH-4001 Basel Phone +41 (0) Fax +41 (0) Internet info@lestroisrois.com Les Trois Rois is one of the oldest city hotels in Europe and displays all the elegance and charm of a historic grand hotel. This luxury hotel also offers everything the discerning guest expects from a 5-star establishment. And all in the heart of Basel, right in the historic city centre, overlooking the Rhine. 6:30 PM Site Inspection at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois Meet the Sales Manager of the Hotel 7:30 PM Cocktails followed by dinner at Brasserie Les Trois Rois Overnight in Basel Wednesday, September 7 th, :00 AM Guided City Tour with ferry ride Meet your Guide at the Hotel lobby Guided Tour Meeting Point: Hotel lobby Your guide: tbc Mobile You will learn details about urban development, events from history, cultural and economic influences that forged the city. Basel is both proud and very aware of its history, but at the same time receptive to everything new. 11:00 AM Visit the Sculpture on the move exhibition at the Kunstmuseum Basel with your guide 8

9 Kunstmuseum Basel St. Alban-Rheinweg 60 CH-4052 Basel Phone +41 (0) Fax +41 (0) Internet Basel's fine arts museum makes a strong showing in Upper Rhenish and Flemish paintings and drawings from 1400 to 1600 and in 19th- to 21st-century art. The museum has the world's largest collection of works by the Holbein family. The Renaissance collection includes major works by Witz, Cranach the Elder, Grünewald and others. Paintings by Böcklin, van Gogh, Gauguin and Cézanne feature strongly in the 19th-century exhibits. 12:30 PM Lunch at the Markthalle with a Sales Representative of Basel Tourism - tbc Markthalle Basel Steinentorberg 20 CH-4051 Basel Internet info@markthalle-basel.ch In this trendy market you can find food from all corners of the world in a casual environment. 14:00 PM Chocolate Workshop at the manufacturing facility with a Sales Representative of Basel Tourism Beschle Chocolatier Margarethenstrasse Basel Tel. +41 (0) Internet info@beschle.ch Learn more about the chocolate-making process and don t lose the chance to make your own Swiss chocolate of world-renowned quality! 4:00 PM Time at leisure 6:00 PM Meet a Sales Representative of Basel Tourism at the Hotel lobby 9

10 6:15 PM Boat ride with cocktails with a Sales Representative of Basel Tourism - tbc Boat Ride along the Rhine River Rhyschiffli Rhywyera Dock Tel. +41 (0) Join us for a comfortable boat ride along the Rhine River while enjoying the beautiful panoramic view of the city. A delicious aperitif will be waiting for you there. 7:15 PM Transfer back to the hotel 7:30 PM Dinner at a typical Restaurant in the Old Town Overnight in Basel Thursday, September 8 th, :00 AM Transfer by private bus to the Basel SBB train station 9:37 AM Train to Zurich Airport 11:04 AM Arrival at Zurich Airport 12:55 PM Departure to Chicago Airport (ORD) on LX8 3:45 PM Arrival at Chicago Airport (ORD) Requirement - Besides qualifying through the Virtuoso LEAP Program, participants are required to have passed the Switzerland Advisor Certification before departing this trip. Further information can be found on MySwitzerland.com/trade. - Health and accident insurance is the participants own responsibility and we strongly recommend to obtain coverage before departing. Switzerland Tourism is not responsible for and illness or accident coverage. 10

11 Additional Information Official Website of Switzerland Tourism with thousands of ideas what to do in Switzerland Toolbox for travel professionals. Find suggested itineraries, Swiss contacts, as well as information of the Switzerland Advisor Program and Webinars. Twitter & Instagram: please always use #inlovewithswitzerland General information about Switzerland (people, culture, economy, politics, history, science, environment, leisure and geography) General information and news about Switzerland Username: stna, Password: topshots For non-commercial use only, please check the copyrights Insurance is up to the participant s own responsibility Good to know: - Seat reservations: If desired, advisors must request seat reservations (either isle or window seats) upon registration. Reservation fees may apply. Contacts Switzerland Tourism 501 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 607 Santa Monica, CA, 90401, U.S.A. Mirko Capodanno Manager Western Europe Phone: Mobile: mirko.capodanno@switzerland.com Swiss Travel System Limmatstrasse 23 CH-8021 Zürich Andy Nef Phone direct: andreas.nef@swisstravelsystem.com Engadin St. Moritz Tourism Organisation Via San Gian 30 CH-7500 St. Moritz Thorsten Frohn Sales Manager USA, UK, France, Belgium & Luxemburg Phone: thorsten.frohn@estm.ch 11

12 Ticino Tourism P.O. Box 1441 CH-5401 Bellinzona Anita Berardi and Veronica Lafranchi Market services Overseas Phone: trade@ticino.ch Basel Tourism Aeschenvorstadt 36 CH-4010 Basel Dorle Schuermann Sales Manager Phone: dorle.schuermann@basel.com 12