Venture to the Heidi-like region of eastern Switzerland on this full day guided coach tour from Zurich. Sample local cheese and chocolate, walk the streets of Appenzell and catch an aerial cable car over Swiss Alpine peaks for a comprehensive insight into this region.
You’ll pass the medieval castle in Rapperswil before this morning’s first stop in Stein. Disembark at the cheese factory, where the famous wheel-shaped Appenzeller cheese is made.
In the small town of Appenzell, you’re guide will accompany you on a brief walking tour past narrow pedestrian lanes and painted houses before driving to Brulisau. Board the aerial cable car to the panoramic Mt. Hoher Kasten. At 1800 meters, it offers breathtaking views over the Rhine Valley and Austria’s Voralberg.
On returning to Appenzell, you have an hour to explore the quaint town on your own. Take a closer look at Swiss traditions housed within the Appenzeller Musuem or opt to shop and a stroll in the heart of town instead.
Before returning to Zurich by coach, let the art of chocolate making seduce you at the Chocolate Factory Maestrani. Shopping here is definitely a must!

See all the main sights of Switzerland’s cultural capital as your motor coach takes you for a drive around Zurich. Enjoy spectacular views of the Alps on your way to visit the rose gardens, deer park and castle in the village of Rapperswil, before enjoying a boat cruise on Lake Zurich.
This tour shows you the most interesting sights of Zurich and its surroundings! Start with a guided city tour of Zurich which shows you the commercial center, a section of the Old Town, Fraumuenster Church with its famous Chagall windows, historical Limmatquai and the university district. Drive along the Hoehenstrasse which offers spectacular views into the Alps, we then drive to Rapperswil which is named the ‘City of Roses’. The charming little town of Rapperswil offers unique attractions for visitors – the Rose Gardens, the Castle, the deer park on the Lindenhof and the picturesque Old Town.
After a guided orientation tour and some time at leisure in Rapperswil, enjoy a 2-hour cruise on the Lake of Zurich (unescorted). There is a restaurant on board for your convenience. First possible boat back is scheduled to arrive at 3:15pm at Zurich Buerkliplatz Pier.
Between November and March there are no boats operating, so you return to Zurich by modern train ‘Gold Coast Express’ along the romantic road that follows the lake-shore.

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The most favorite cities for tourists is Amsterdam, the capital of Netherlands, Den Haag dan Rotterdam. Make sure you have order Amsterdam Hotels.

To get around the city you could take a train or traditional bicycles.
Railways in the Netherlands is managed by the NS and the color are easy to remember which combined yellow and blue color. There are rail passes for the Netherlands (Eurail) is usually combined with Belgium and Luxembourg. So if you have Eurail Pass (pass, either globally or country) it might be cheaper.

Bicycles can be used to explore the city. Unfortunately you need to secure your vehicle with safety equipment in here, just in case of thieves problems. For tourists, you don’t have to worry, Wanna enjoy or traveling between Leiden and Haarlem among tulips garden? You could rent those bicycles.

When Tulips festival arrived there will be lots of tourists coming around the worlds, prepare your self to watch the world most magnificent tulips festival.

Burg Eltz was built atop a 200 meter rock spire and is surrounded on three sides by the Eltz River and a thick forest. Its picturesque setting and impressive architecture have made Burg Eltz the most popular castle in Germany
Two thirds of Burg Eltz Castle are available to the public, while the other is the residence of the 33rd generation of the Eltz family.

Transportation to romantic, medieval Burg Eltz Castle in Germany is possible by train and boat from Koblenz or by car as a day trip from Frankfurt, Mainz, or Cologne.
castle in germany · burg eltz · medieval architecture · top castles in europe · sightseeing in the mosel valley

Centuries-old castles, some in ruins and some refurbished, dot the landscape in a number of German regions, but all beckon visitors.
castles in germany · german castles · burg hohenzollern · heidelberg castle · wartburg castle

Romantic, medieval Burg Eltz Castle near Koblenz in Germany is open daily during the summer season. Tickets for the treasury and guided tours are sold at the fortress.
castle in germany · burg eltz · medieval architecture · top castles in europe · sightseeing in the mosel valley

Sleeping Exemplar Chessman at Funfair, Woman Manse at the Witching Arena and numerous different magical castles were all inspired by a proper hall; Neuschwanstein Manse. Neuschwanstein Castle, the awe ennobling move of the “fairy-tale power,” Ludwig II of State. Licenced by the challenger in homage to Richard Music, the unreal mansion was designed by theatrical set creator Faith Jank. The ravishing plan was to further raise the already impractical elevation and earth set.

The original jurist of Neuschwanstein Mansion (which literally means, “New Swan Feminist castle”) was arranged in Sep of 1869. The study utilised to make this chessman was thoughtful fashionable and sophisticated. New inventions such as electricity, measurement, alter and steamboats were old in the cerebration of the manse, and Ludwig himself was considered responsible for the launching of galore of these inventions to the country.

In 1886, as the massively expensive castle neared completion, the Tell Commissioner pronounced Ludwig maniclike and arrested him shortly after. The day after he was arrested, Ludwig requested the Commissioner go on a path in the woods with him. The commissioner agreed and told his guards to remain behindhand. Both were found mysteriously nonviable in a lake subsequent that daytime. Ludwig was never healthy to see the finalized residence, but his savour for soigne, and wasteful, ornament resonates throughout the part of the mansion. After his decease, the chessman was unsealed for the world to ameliorate pay off the expenses and now attracts over a million fill a gathering.

Of portion gratify is the Cave Dwell, an celluloid cave unmitigated with stalactites and a falls; it was deliberate to commute a hollow from Wagner’s house “Tannhauser.”

The Champs Elysées (Elysian fields) were originally nothing but fields, until Marie de Medicis decided in 1616 to put up a long tree-lined pathway. In 1667, Le Notre extended the vista of the Tuileries and the Champs-Elysees became a very fashionable place to walk. In 1724, the avenue was extended up to Chaillot hill, now the site of the Arc de Triomphe and the Etoile.

The actual avenue of the Champs-Elysées did not become city property until 1828, when they added footpaths and fountains. They also added gas lighting at this time.
Today, the Champs Elysées is one of the most famous streets in the world, with its cinemas, cafés, and luxury specialty shops. This special status made it the site of much growth and activity. At the very heart of Paris, it is one of the most symbolic places in the city, representative of its spirit and glory.

The Champs Elysees are a very pleasant 30 minutes walk from Champs Elysees Clemenceau metro station to Arc de Triomphe and Charles de Gaulle metro station.
Spectacular events regularly take place on Champs Elysees, the most impressing setting you can think of.
That includes new years eve gathering, the 14th of July military parade and the arrival of the Tour de France cycling race end of July.

The Champs Elysees are also one of Paris best districts for city life.
Hundreds of fashion stores, movie theaters and restaurants animate the Champs Elysees day and night. Another good reason to choose your hotel in the Champs Elysees district.

La Marseillaise by François Rude; One of four reliefs on the pillars of the Arch. The day the Battle of Verdun started in 1916, the sword carried by the figure representing the Republic broke off. The relief was immediately hidden to conceal the accident and avoid any undesired associations or interpretations as a bad omen.

Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, are to found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined died in action.
Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and eternal flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars.

At the bases of the Arc’s pillars are four huge relief sculptures, commemorating The Triumph of 1810 (by Cortot); Resistance, and Peace (both by Etex); and The Departure of the Volunteers, more commonly known as La Marseillaise (by François Rude). On the day the Battle of Verdun started (1916), the sword carried by the figure representing the Republic broke off from La Marseillaise. The relief was immediately hidden to conceal the accident, so that it would not be interpreted as a bad omen.

Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, can be found on the inside walls. (Generals whose names are underlined died in action.)

Inside the Arch, a small museum documents its history, architectural design and construction — complete with interactive touch screens. The price of admission includes access to the top of the Arch. From the roof, one is treated to spectacular views of Paris. Looking eastwards, down the Champs Elysées, toward the Louvre, there is the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Gardens, and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. In the opposite direction – westwards – in the distance is its larger and newer cousin, La Grande Arche de la Défense.

If you are planning to visit many monuments and museums during your séjour à Paris, Discover France offers the “Museums and Monuments Card” (Carte Musées et Monuments), valid for unlimited visits and priority access to approximately 70 locations in — and near — Paris. It can also be purchased at the Paris Tourist Office (127, avenue des Champs-Elysées), at its reception offices in certain Paris train stations, at the Eiffel Tower, in the major Métro stations, or at most of the 70 attractions. Cards are available in denominations valid for either one, three, or five consecutive days.

Note: The Arch is most easily — and safely — reached via a convenient pedestrian tunnel from the north side of the Champs Elysées. Brave (or foolhardy) souls may be amazed at the reaction of motorists, if you try to cross the vortex of traffic hurtling around the circle. (We do not recommend this for the faint-of-heart!)

Opened in September 1994 in a former factory, Mamco takes into account the spirit of the building it occupies. The factory’s industrial architecture of the 1950s allows for a flexible and constantly changing museum arrangement.

The museum exhibits a broad range of works dating from the early 1960s to the present day. Its installations, videos, paintings, photographs, and sculptures come to Mamco on loan from public and private collections, as gifts, as artists’ deposits or as acquisitions.

In a convivial and playful manner inspired by the spirit of Marcel Duchamp, Mamco aims to provoke people to reconsider their understanding of the notions of “contemporary art” and “museum”.

Three times a year the Museum presents a new stage of its ongoing construction with temporary exhibitions and new presentations of its collection.

Since its opening in 1994, Mamco (Museum of Modern and Contemporary) moved to Geneva a new form of museum dedicated to the art of our time.
Working mainly on the art of the past forty years, Mamco based its action on twelve principles:
- Design museum as overall exposure alternating in the continuity of the visit, temporary exhibitions and permanent collections of presentations – also frequently repeated, in a lively and often entertaining.
- Changes in types of spaces and clashes reminiscent of the museum’s history and styles of exposure (to the apartment of the collector plate of raw loft, through the white box ( ‘white cube’), the cell, workshop, warehouse, etc..).
- Focus on areas devolved to monographic presentations lasting (Vito Acconci, Siah Armajani, Art & Language, Gérard Collin-Thiébaut, Collection and Paul Yoon Ja Devautour Robert Filliou, Sherrie Levine, Dennis Oppenheim, Claudio Parmiggiani Claude Rutault, Sarkis Philip Thomas, Franz Erhard Walther, etc..). Adaptive management by the artists themselves, their monographic spaces.
- Avoidance of traditional groupings in favor of thematic sets often confronting artists of generations, cultures, nationalities or different problems.
- Emphasis on artists and art forms located off the market and the mainstream (retrospective Siah Armajani, Claudio Parmiggiani, Martin Kippenberger, Michael Snow, Jim Shaw, Bertrand Lavier, Noel Dolla, Steven Parrino, John M Armleder, etc..).
- Preference for temporary exhibits numerous and diverse rather than media events and historiographical research focus for the years 1960-1970.
- Frequent recurrence of the same artists, presented in phases or different aspects of their work.
- Attention to regular scenes Geneva and Swiss (Gap, John M Armleder, Helmut Federle, Sylvie Fleury, Fabrice Gygi, Thomas Huber, Olivier Mosset, Christian Robert-Tissot, Jean-Frédéric Schnyder, Rémy Zaugg, etc..).
- Collection Strategy based on extensive private deposits (artists and collectors in Switzerland and abroad) as well as purchases, orders and production.
- Diverse teaching practices (both for adults and children) based on a living relationship to include works and developed in close partnership with the Department of Public Instruction.
- Orientation editorial emphasis on books rather than catalogs (written by artists, monographs, theoretical and historical essays, etc..)
- Policy of professional collaboration with institutions and local actors and with an international network.

• Opening hours and prices

Tuesday-Friday: noon-6pm
Saturday-Sunday: 11am-6pm
Open every first Wednesday of the month till 9pm.
Closed on Monday

Entrance:
CHF 8.- Adults.
CHF 6.- Reduced rate.
CHF 4.- Group rate.
Free for children under 18 years.
Free admission to permanent collections and temporary exhibitions every first Sunday of the month.

The museum is divided into 11 areas which detail the history of the organization from its conception to the present day. Audio-visual displays, sculpture, historical documents, textual exhibits, propaganda posters, artifacts and film clips detail the work of Red Cross founder Henry Dunant; the organization’s work during the First and Second World Wars; its progress towards universality and efforts to aid both civilians and prisoners of war in internal and international conflict. The Geneva Convention of 1864 is on display with further exhibits on the Conventions ratified in 1949 which include the protection of civilians in conflict.
In addition to the permanent exhibit on the lower ground level, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions on the ground floor. The current exhibition (April to July 2006), “Le Labyrinthe de Belfast”, presents 68 photographs of Belfast’s notorious Maze prison by the Irish photographer Donovan Wylie and a film by English artist Amanda Dunsmore which details aspects of day-to-day life in the prison.

The museum is located just north of the United Nations plaza. (from Cornavin Station, bus 8-F / Appia bus stop; bus V-Z Ariana bus stop…alternatively buses 5, etc. stop at ‘Nations’, then continue on foot up the Avenue de la Paix for a few hundred metres.)

Bern is for Bear
The city of Bern was originally founded by a German Duke in 1191. When it came to finding a name for it, however, he was at somewhat of a loss. According to the legends of the city, he decided then to leave it to chance. He organized a hunting party and decreed that the first animal they killed would lend its name to this new city he had founded. That animal was a bear (Bern). Today, the symbol of the bear is used everywhere – including on the city’s flag.
Of course you shouldn’t miss the real bears in the Bear Pit. Young and old will find the antics of the bears quite amusing and as you look on, you’ll notice the bears playing to the attention of the crowd and you wonder, just who is studying whom! Since the 16th century, the city has had a bear pit (or Bärengraben), and you can easily find it at the far end of the Nydeggbrücke near the center of town.
You’re welcome to feed the bears bits of fruit, though rest assured they get well fed and never go hungry. Not surprisingly, the Bärengraben is one of the city’s most popular attractions.
Exploring Bern
The city of Bern was actually built in three different parts, at different times during the centuries, and the streets were formed in the shape of a cross. Life in those days took place mostly outside and for the people of the day, their focus was on the church and the government, hence the holy significance of the streets being formed into crosses. These days the city has a population of 130,000 and a total of 300,000 citizens in the greater Bern area. It was made the capital of Switzerland in 1848.
Clock Tower and Prison
One of the capital’s most famous buildings has to be the Zytglogge, or clock tower. This dates from 1210 and is one of the largest in the world still working. It has moving puppets which are themselves worth seeing. But the clock has its own history, too.
The tower was once used as a prison, but only for women. And only for those caught having love affairs. With priests, no less. The priests, as a punishment for their sins, were castrated after they were discovered.
It’s been recorded that the city was set on fire once during the middle ages by several of those women taken prisoner. Their anger was unleashed on the town in a series of arson attacks.
The placement of the prison in the clock tower, right in the heart of town, was very deliberate — to act as a warning to would-be offenders. The prison was there in front of them every day to remind them of where they could end up, should they decide to break the law.
Tours of the clock tower are available weekdays at 2.30pm. You’ll notice that two main colors are used on the door–black, and gold. The black reminds of night and the gold reminds of daylight hours. Together they remind us of the Big Bang when the world was begun. Signs of the zodiac are depicted on the clock too, a reminder of the mystical aspects of life. The Clock Tower was designed by Kasper Brunner, who began his career as a German weapons specialist.
But the Clock Tower is only one of the buildings you’ll see in the Old Town. Buildings ave been beautifully preserved in this fairytale setting in a city that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Albert Einstein — Everything is Relative
Another claim to fame that Bern can boast, is being home to the German-born physicist Albert Einstein. You can visit his former apartment which has been turned into a museum. It was here that Einstein worked out his Theory of Relativity while being employed as a clerk at the Bern patent office. Although often cited as the work for which he won the Nobel Prize in Physics, in fact according to the Nobel Foundation that administers the Prize, Einstein won the coveted award in 1921 for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.”
And More
No old town would be complete without an old bridge – the oldest in town actually dates back to 1260. Naturally, historic buildings abound but note the one just after you come over the bridge from visiting the Bear Pit. You’ll see that one of them is only two windows wide. When the town was built, it was a requirement that every building be only two windows wide, so there would be no difference between rich and poor. These days that regulation doesn’t apply and several buildings are much wider than this. Restrictions do apply however as to how high the building can be – no more than 4 stories. Outside of town, not surprisingly, many buildings reach 15 stories.
Cobbled streets are everywhere, as are ornate covered arches. It’s thanks to these 6 kilometers of arcades that the old town can boast having one of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe. So even if there is bad weather, that doesn’t need to stop you being outside. The arches protect shoppers and diners alike and it even has a romantic feel to it, so go ahead and enjoy!
Check out one of the most ornate buildings, the Muenster Cathedral. Here the story of the Last Judgement is beautifully depicted. The door has 238 figures on it — much gold leaf is used and the craftwork dates back to the end of the 15th century. It actually took 350 years to complete the whole church which was built in the late Gothic style. Amazingly, the stained glass is original, except for the panels on the right hand side of the door.
Rose Garden, located near the Bear Pit, is well worth the visit for its scenic panorama view of the medieval city. Throughout the city you’ll see fountains, each one different from the one before and all brightly decorated and preserved. All 11 of these were built by Hans Gieng between 1540 and 1548.
But if you want something stronger than mere water, then look for some of the wine cellars open to the public, some of which will lead you underground.
Trips outside of Bern to any one of Switzerland’s beautiful cities or even its alpine regions in easily done on the train, and major cities are only a few hours from each other. From medieval towns to breathtaking brisk mountains scenery, a trip to Switzerland and all it has to offer is not to be missed.
If You Go
One of the best ways to get to Bern is to fly with Swiss Airlines. Even if you arrive in a city other than Bern, you can take a train trip to the capital. Most stations are surprisingly close to Bern. Trains are comfortable, punctual (don’t be late!) and frequent. Alternatively, there’s the PostBus which recently celebrated 100 years in operation. The trip on the bus, just like the train, is well worth it for the scenic views you’ll get on the way to your destination. Don’t miss it. For more information on visiting Bern go to BernInfo.com