You'll arrive in Zurich and head to the Hotel Eden au Lac where you'll be greeted by your US Team host at 9:30 a.m. and travel by private car to Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken. There you'll enjoy a continental lunch in the delightful Jungfrau Brasserie. A chauffeured tour of the town of Interlaken follows, along with excited preparations for your first hot air balloon flight. You'll be in the air in the afternoon, taking in the charming beauty of mountain streams and hillsides, followed by touchdown in time for a dinner feast of traditional Swiss specialties. Then you'll be driven back to the hotel for a night's rest before for your second day's adventure.
Breakfast will be served in your room as you enjoy the mountain views from your sunny hotel patio. After breakfast, there will be a road tour of areas of interest in the valley, followed by a ride on the Stechelberg cable car to Murren. You'll see the special sights in this mountain town, including the world famous Balloon Museum depicting early eighteenth century pioneer balloon traviel. After a late lunch, you'll continue via cable car up the mountain to Schilthorn, Piz Gloria Vista for a heart stopping view of the Alps. Piz Gloria is the film site for James Bond's 007 On Her Majesty's Secret Service. No other place offers a more breathtaking view of the Bernese Oberland landscape than the remarkable 3,000 meter high Schilthorn. After viewing, you'll travel down the mountain and catch up with the US Team in time for a late afternoon hot air balloon flight. Then you'll be feted at a Swiss country dinner before heading back to your hotel to savor the day.
Following breakfast, you'll travel to the Thunersee by private car where you'll board a lake steamer that will give you yet another vantage point from which to view the magnificent scenery. You'll be on your way back to Interlaken, enjoying a relaxing lunch on route. Once there you'll add another travel experience and ride the cog railway to the peaceful Alpine village of Wengen. Your host's chef will prepare a special Swiss chocolate treat to enjoy while taking in the unique ambience of this special town. Then you'll return to your hotel in Interlaken to relax and prepare for a late afternoon hot air balloon flight, and dinner at a local restaurant in the countryside near your landing.
Following breakfast, you'll depart your hotel and travel to the beautiful countryside of the Kandersteg valley. You'll receive a welcome fit for royalty by your hosts at the world famous Royal Park Hotel. After time to refresh and enjoy the pristine beauty of the mountain scenery, you'll be treated to a classical French lunch on the terrace. In the afternoon you can choose either a guided tour of the valley or personal time to enjoy the pool, tennis, or horseback riding. Then you'll be off on a special tour of the high mountains to befriend local residents and enjoy a traditional Swiss dinner replete with fondue, raclette and the finest specialties of the region. Your day will end watching the sun setting over the Alps, an almost impossibly beautiful sight that will never leave you.
On this day you'll choose how you want to enjoy an area that nearly defies description with its untouched natural vistas, spectacular native flowers and magnificent mountain air. You can join an early morning hot air balloon flight or take breakfast outdoors in Kandersteg. Then you'll decide between leisure time, organized tours or sightseeing for the remainder of the day before dinner. With the approach of evening, you'll be escorted to the site of your final hot air balloon liftoff over the Kandersteg valley. Following the flight, as the sun goes down, you and your balloon mates will toast your favorite memories at a magnificent farewell dinner celebration in the countryside.
After a final Swiss breakfast, you'll depart your hotel and return by private coach to Zurich, arriving at the Hotel Eden au Lac at approximately noon.
June 13 to 19, 2009
$1,995 per person per day
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