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Walking Pure Alpine Delights 2011 |
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 Already Walked for 2011!
ITALY • SWITZERLAND • FRANCE Are you ready for Alpine sensory overload!! Cable cars, mountain vistas, windowboxes, cogwheel trains, Alpine trails, cowbells—join us for our new Adventure featuring the peerless, pristine Alpine scenery of Italy, Switzerland, and France!!
How to Register A Note on the Walks Pure Alpine DelightsFASL - Feet Above Sea Level DAY 1: JUL 30 AND AUG 30: ARRIVE ORTA SAN GIULIO, ITALY (D) Travelers arrive throughout the day into Milan’s Malpensa Airport. As you exit customs, you’ll be greeted by a representative of Walking Adventures and transferred to our hotel overlooking lovely Lake Orta, in a quiet corner of the Italian Lake District. This evening, we rendezvous for a “Get Acquainted” dinner at 7:00 pm. NOTE: An optional excursion into Milan is available on July 29 for travelers who arrive at least a day early – see enclosed Adventure Memo for more information. DAY 2: JUL 31 AND AUG 31: ACTIVITIES FROM ORTA SAN GIULIO (B) Lake Orta is a gem, one of the smallest in the Lake District, its shores dotted with romantic, time-washed villages. Our walk in the vicinity is followed by an excursion to nearby Stresa, on the shores of the much larger Lake Maggiore. Here, you have the option of a relaxing boat ride to the Borromeo Islands to explore the 17th century villas and gardens, or meandering delightful shopping lanes and café-lined squares in the Old Town. Borromeo Islands estimated price: $30. DAY 3: AUG 1 AND SEP 1: ORTA SAN GIULIO – ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND (BD) This morning’s coach ride takes us north along placid, picturesque Lake Maggiore to Bellinzona, Switzerland. Here, we say farewell to our coach and use the excellent Swiss train system to take us north to Andermatt. In Andermatt, we transfer to the fabled Glacier Express, one of the most famous railways in the world, for an unforgettable train trip east around mountains, over bridges, and through tunnels to Zermatt (5250 Feet Above Sea Level – FASL), our home in the shadow of the Matterhorn for the next two nights. DAY 4: AUG 2 AND SEP 2: ACTIVITIES IN ZERMATT (B) Officially a car-free zone (but watch out for reckless electric carts zipping around like Grand Prix wannabes), Zermatt is perfect for a Walking Adventure. From our centrally-located hotel, we walk to one of three Zermatt gondola stations for the first of many Alpine gondola and train experiences! Our destination is Kleine Matterhorn, highest gondola station in Europe at over 12,700 FASL! Click here to view a trail map of Zermatt DAY 5: AUG 3 AND SEP 3: ZERMATT – LAUTERBRUNNEN, SWITZERLAND (BD) A funicular (inclined train) carries us up through the living stone of a mountain tunnel this morning. Shortly after daylight breaks, we transfer to gondolas, bound for the summit at Rothern (10,629 FASL), which provides the most breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. Starting at 8,435 FASL, the Blumenweg trail takes us through areas noted for its wildflowers, against a never-ending backdrop of the Matterhorn and the Pennine Alps. Following lunch, we return to the Zermatt train station for a ride north into Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region, and three nights in lovely Lauterbrunnen valley (2,612 FASL). DAY 6: AUG 4 AND SEP 4: ACTIVITIES IN LAUTERBRUNNEN (B) One of the deepest valleys in the Alps, Lauterbrunnen is an oasis of Alpine green less than a mile wide and guarded on both sides by stunning limestone cliffs, bisected here and there by some of Europe’s highest waterfalls. Near our hotel, a gondola whisks us up the west side of the valley to Grütschalp (4,885 FASL). Here we follow an easy forest trail, often shared with dairy cows – bells a-tinkling – to the tiny hamlet of Mürren. Perched on the cliff and accessible only by gondola or hiking, Mürren offers a chance for a rest and a second gondola ride to Schilthornbahn on the valley floor. Alternatively, you may continue on foot to Gimmelwald before descending by gondola to the valley floor, then return to Lauterbrunnen on foot through a quintessential Alpine setting: fields dotted by chalets, grazing herds of sheep and cows, glacier-fed waterfalls, and more. Travelers looking for more adventure may take another series of gondolas from Mürren UP to the Schilthorn (9,711 FASL), to marvel at views over the Bernese Alps in the revolving restaurant (additional gondola costs not included). Click here to view a trail map of Lauterbrunnen DAY 7: AUG 5 AND SEP 5: ACTIVITIES IN LAUTERBRUNNEN (B) Explore this fabulous Alpine setting on your own today. Your guide will provide excursion suggestions and an optional group activity that includes a ride on the famous Swiss cog-wheeled trains to Wengen, a gondola ride to Mannlichen (7,306 FASL), a walk from there to the Kleine Scheidegg mountain train station, and a return to Lauterbrunnen either by walking through some of the Alps’ most jaw-dropping scenery, or by train. Those who haven’t participated in our classic Alpine tour may wish to continue from Kleine Scheidegg by train through the Eiger and Mönch mountains to the Jungfraujoch, the highest rail station in Europe (11,333 FASL)! NOTE: Transport (train and gondola) is not included for this day. Follow the link to view Dan's Travelogue Blog - The Price of a Comfort Stop! DAY 8: AUG 6 AND SEP 6: LAUTERBRUNNEN – GENEVA – CHAMONIX, FRANCE (BD) Back on the motorcoach today, we drive through more classic Alpine scenery toward Geneva. Landscapes change, however, as we motor west. Soon it feels as though we’re in France, vineyard-covered hillsides sloping down to serene scenes along Lake Geneva, largest body of water in Switzerland. Today’s walk explores the eclectic, French-speaking city of Geneva. Our Swiss walking friends plan to join us for a walk from the first United Nations complex, along the shores of the lake, which we cross by water taxi, and into the Old Town where John Calvin established a bulwark of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. From Geneva, we cross the border into France to Chamonix (3,396 FASL) and our last Alpine conquest – the Mount Blanc region! Follow the link to view Dan's Travelogue Blog - Geneva - Capital of French-speaking Switzerland DAY 9: AUG 7 AND SEP 7: ACTIVITIES IN CHAMONIX (B) Like Lauterbrunnen, all activities in Chamonix begin from our hotel on foot! Today’s walk winds through the alpine village to a gondola that takes us to Plan Praz (6,562 FASL). From Plan Praz, the Grand Balcony North trail winds along the side of the mountain with non-stop views across the valley to the Mount Blanc massif. At La Flegere (6,214 FASL), we catch another gondola back to the valley floor to join a tree-lined, riverside footpath back to our hotel in the heart of Chamonix. The afternoon is free to explore the delights of this appealing mountain community. DAY 10: AUG 8 AND SEP 8: CHAMONIX – ORTA SAN GIULIO, ITALY (BD) Today’s “challenge” walk begins with a trek to the train station, followed by a ride aboard the Montenvers Train to Mer de Glace glacier (6,276 FASL). A tantalizingly rugged trail then takes us along the Grand Balcony South, offering a variety of vistas including sweeping rivers of ice, jagged alpine peaks, hardy pine forests, and a welcoming array of alpine wildflowers. The trail ends at the midway station for the gondola that takes us to the Mount Blanc viewing station – Aiguille du Midi (12,604 FASL). Travelers who spent the morning in Chamonix rendezvous here to enjoy eye-popping panoramas over the rooftop of Europe and Mount Blanc, its highest peak! From Aiguille du Midi, you have the option of returning to Chamonix by gondola or, weather permitting, continuing across the rooftop of Europe by gondola for over three miles to Pont Helbronner (11,358 FASL); Estimated price: $75. Changing gondolas, we cross the border on our descent to the Italian village of La Palud and meet our coach, which brought travelers the long way around from France through the tunnel. From La Palud, we return by coach to our home on the shores of Lake Orta to enjoy our final evening together at a fun Farewell Dinner! Follow the link to view Dan's Travelogue Blog - Powerful Panoramas of Mount Blanc & Chamonix DAY 11: AUG 9 AND SEP 9: DEPART MILAN (B) One shuttle is offered early this morning to Milan’s Malpensa Airport (the Adventure Advice, sent to travelers after registration, will provide details). We return to North America with new walking friends and a knapsack of marvelous mountain memories from our Pure Alpine Delights walking adventure! What's IncludedWalking Pure Alpine Delights 2011 - Italy, Switzerland & France Including
Optional excursions
Registration DetailsTo reserve your spot on this adventure, please mail the Registration Form along with a $500 per person deposit, or call in with your credit card. Make checks payable to Walking Adventures International. VISA, MasterCard, and Discover also accepted. The General Tour Conditions contain important information you should read before you register. Mail payments to: Travel Insurance Why We WalkWhy We Walk Walk Rating System Volkssport General Questions |
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