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Switzerland
August 15 - 21 Standard Tour
Seven Days and Six Nights for $1900
Southwestern Switzerland’s district of Valais is home to some of the
most stunning scenery you will find anywhere in the world – crystal-clear streams, gorgeous alpine
meadows dotted with traditional Swiss chalets, and the jagged peaks of the Alps. While we are
surrounded daily by the steepness of the mountains, our skating routes are mainly flat. We spend
most of the August Standard Tour skating down the glacially carved valley of the Rhone River, the
driest and warmest part of Switzerland! The paths are smooth and the terrain just slightly downhill
– not enough that you notice while you are skating, but enough that you still have plenty of energy
for exploring at the end of the day.
We begin our journey high above the valley in the small resort town of Bettmeralp, home of the
Aletsch Glacier and accessible only by cable car. Our introductory skate is on a level road leading
to the next mountain town. From Bettmeralp, we move down the valley, skating from the charming town
of Brig, through the plentiful vineyards and orchards surrounding Sierre, past the ruins of a Roman
amphitheatre in Martigny, to the restored 13th century fortress and wine museum above Aigle, until
we arrive at shimmering Lake Geneva. The entire area is rich in history and architecture and we
have the opportunity to take afternoon hikes to several ancient castles perched high above the
towns.
We end our week in Gstaad, one of Europe’s most famous and posh ski towns. We have time not
only for an alpine skate but a day of hiking in the mountains.
This is a perfect tour for those who love skating but also want a rich cultural experience.
Switzerland is so diverse it has four official languages. Although English is commonly spoken, you
can “sprechen Sie Deutsch?” or “parlez-vous Francais?” as we weave from the German part of
Switzerland to the French part and back again. If you like wine, you’ll be able to sample many
local varieties (including the outstanding Fendant), as we spend much of our time in the center of
Switzerland’s best wine-making region. The food we choose is a mix of Switzerland’s cultural
heritage…from German Roestis, French Raclettes and Italian pastas to the ubiquitous Swiss
chocolate, which is truly world-class.
See our Switzerland
Frequently Asked Questions
page or this
article
on a past Swiss Tour for more information. |
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