Itinerary: Grand tour of : Zürich – Locarno – - Appenzell SUMMER 2016 The Tessin Region is a confluence of various cultures. The Italian Dolce-far-niente is mixed with Helvetic diligence and tidiness and brings up a culture all on its own. For overnight accommodations Bruno and Heinz has chosen the village of Locarno. Locarno lies on the Lago Maggiore and is worth the trip with its magnificent landscape and the mild climate temperatures. Here the taste of cappuccino may be influenced by Italy but the trains run as punctual as a Swiss Clock. Interlaken in the Berner Oberland is the quintessence of Swiss Tourisms. Ideally located between the Thuner- and Brienzersee, Interlaken is the starting point for sightseeing excursions in the Jungfrauregion with the three famous mountains, the , Mönch und . The first tourist to this area arrived in 1690. Markgraf Friedrich von Brandenburg, and also the world traveler J.W. Goethe came here 1779. 100 years later English tourists had a hold on the Region; it soon became their favorite travel destiny. The name Interlaken has been coined to this day and is carried out throughout the world. The Appenzellerland is best known as the birth place of well-being. Here the natural elixirs of life, water, air and milk are in abundance. Long before the wellness craze guests from all over the world would recuperate along the raging waterfalls and airy heights. The Appenzellerland is a fountain of youth for both body and spirit. Hiking in this pastoral country side is a favorite past time of the locals. PROGRAM ITINERARY DAY ONE - Flight to Zürich Arriving at the airport in Zürich. Bruno and Heinz will anticipate your arrival here and for the next few days will accompany you and guide you through there beautiful country. Depending on your arrival you can transfer directly to the Hotel for overnight accommodation in Zürich, or perhaps take a city stroll through the beautiful old part of the town. It is possible to continue the journey to Locarno on the same day. DAY TWO - Zürich - Locarno Breakfast in the hotel Enjoy the Train ride over the famous Gotthard section in to the Tessin Time example Zürich HB ab 10 09 Locarno an 13 13 Luggage transfer to the hotel

There is ample time for a stroll along the lake or an alternative guided city tour. Dinner at the hotel DAY THREE - Locarno – Brissago Island After breakfast take a ride with the ferry to the island Isola di Brissago or a guided tour to the botanic gardens where there is time for lunch. Journey back early afternoon where Heinz or Bruno would love to company you to a stroll through the old town or ride with you up to the Pilgrimage church Madonna Del Sasso Dinner at the hotel DAY FOUR - Verzasca Valley und wine tasting Breakfast in the hotel Today we take a bus ride to the wild romantic Verzasca valley and then we have time in Sonogno, the principal town of the valley for a stroll. Journey back early in the afternoon and a stop at a wine cellar where you can enjoy a guided wine tasting. Dinner at the hotel DAY FIVE - Through the Cento Valley to Interlaken Breakfast in the Hotel, Your luggage is being brought direct to the next hotel We invite you to travel by train trough the beautiful Cento valley in the canton of Wallis and then further through Lötschbergtunnel to the (Thunersee} Lake of Thun. In Thun you are boarding a ferry and enjoying the scenery of the passing mountains and idealistic small rural towns along the shore. Arriving in Interlaken in the afternoon and check in the Hotel. Dinner at the hotel DAY SIX - Adventure Berner Oberland – Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg Suggestion #1: After Breakfast ride with the bus along Briener to the Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg. With the guided tour you are learning about the charming farmhouses from different Swiss Cantons und discover the life style from the “good old times”. Tables are reserved for lunch at the historic guest house. Journey back to Interlaken and leisure time Suggestion #2: Take a train ride to the quaint town of and perhaps a hike while you are enjoying the magnificent mountain world. Dinner at the hotel DAY SEVEN - Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe What would a vacation be in the Berner Oberland without a train ride to the and up to the Jungfraujoch? Tourists have identified the impressive snow covered mountain world south of Interlaken with the Jungfrau-Massiv (Eiger 3970 m, Mönch 4099 m, Jungfrau 4158 m), with raging waterfalls , green pastures and vertical cliffs, enclosed Valleys as early as 1871 coining it as “The Playground to Europe”– today they advertise the Jungfraubahn with the Slogan, “Top of Europe”. DAY EIGHT - Interlaken – Rigi – Appenzell Breakfast in the hotel In the morning we ride with the Extrabus over the Brünigpass to Luzern and have time for a small town stroll. We continue the ride along the Vierwaldstättersee to Vitznau. (Alternative boat ride with the ferry) With the Cogwheel Railway you ride up to the Rigi – also known as the Quinn of the mountains. Enjoy the panorama and a light lunch at the mountain restaurant. Descend to the valley in the early afternoon and continue the ride with the bus to Appenzell Check in and dinner at the hotel DAY NINE – Exhibtion Cheese Factory and Säntis Mountain Anticipate a round trip through the pretty Appenzeller country side and experience the cheese showroom in Stein. Learn how they create the aromatic and world famous Appenzeller cheese. In the afternoon the bus will transport you to the Schwägalp, where you will enjoy a typical Swiss Barbeque and then you float with the cable car up to the Säntis. Delight in the last view of the magnificent mountain side to the other side where the Bodensee lays. Dinner and lodging in Appenzell DAY TEN Today we say farewell to the world’s “Playground to Europe” and our most beautiful country, with its majestic mountains, quaint villages and old history charm. We hope you have enjoyed our journey, as much as we have enjoyed you joining us as we’ve learned about the history, enjoyed the flavors of spectacular foods and wine or simply absorbing all the wonderful culture Switzerland has to offer. Bus transfer to the airport Zürich und and flying home to New York