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Posts Tagged ‘Switzerland’

The Great Vienna: Why It Is A Can’t Miss On Your Next Europe Getaway

September 22nd, 2009 No comments

Vienna is a unique blend of both modern and ancient culture. In Austria’s Northeast, Vienna is a unique mix of cult and heritage. The city is known for it’s architectural masterpieces which are set against the backdrops of wonderful, natural beauty forming a true masterpiece.

One of Vienna’s claim to fame would have to also be the musical talent that this city has churned. It was the motherland to such amazing musicians as Mozart and Beethoven. Vienna has been an epicenter for art and flourishing entertainment.

With a rather thin population of around 2 million, the whole city seems like a fairytale setting that inspired composers, poets and painters alike. Known for its admirable serenity, the city is in the list of top tourism attractions of the world. The openness and vastness of the attractions in the city leave its visitors in a captivating trance.

There are magnificent examples of the art nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture that also flourished here. An interesting fact about the city is that apart from being the capital city it is also known as a federal province, surrounded by Niedersterreich (Lower Austria). It is home to most important international organizations including the United Nations.

Get engrossed into the world of literature at the State Hall of the Austrian National Library. It is a mighty collection of rare books on various topics varying at large. The St. Stephan’s Cathedral is another must-visit, known for purity and holiness and of course the marvelous architecture. The beauty of the cathedral is breathtaking and is considered a timeless beauty. The wonder nestles in the central city and can be spotted from anywhere owing to its colorful and scintillating beauty.

Traveling in Vienna, you will see many amazing monuments and phenomenally built structures designed to perfection. The city also houses the Albertina Graphics Arts Collection, a world renowned collection. You can find about sixty thousand amazing drawings and the museum building itself is a marvel on its own.

Vienna is not left behind when it comes to cuisines and delicacies. The vast yummy variety of dishes found in the menu cards of restaurants is enough to let visitors stay long in the city. The food here attracts all senses and its tastes remain forever. Its culinary traditions reflect a mix of various cultures and nationalities. A coffee at the cozy inn at Vienna is a happening and rejuvenating experience.

The weather conditions of Vienna are highly influenced by the continental European climate. The presence of Danube valley and the Vienna basin makes it a charming and pleasant place to be at any time during the year. The place attracts tourists throughout the year for its scenic beauty. In all, Vienna is an idyllic place and a trip to it is dazzling experience whose remembrances remain etched in the memory of its visitors.

Vienna cheap hotels are located through out the city. It’s good to know when searching what class of hotel you may want to visit and what area you would like to stay in, though with the transportation system, you should be able to get around the city just fine.

Michael J Reeves writes with Vienna Cheap Hotels. He has enjoyed the last ten years traveling to many beautiful European destinations. Whether it’s Paris in the summer or Switzerland in the winter, Europe has so much to offer visitors. And it’s with that in mind, Michael loves to share his experiences.

European River Travel: How To Make The Most Of Your Trip

January 29th, 2009 No comments

If you are thinking about river travel, you should spend a moment to consider a European cruise. These kinds of waterborne trips are great to explore the interior of a country, and especially so no the European continent, with its tightly packed and diverse cultures and nationalities.

There are probably few ways to visit a country which are as cool and pleasant as river travel, and whether you will be traveling alone, with friends, or together with your spouse and kinds, it will probably be a trip to remember.

On a river trip you have access to inland areas of countries that big ships just can’t get to, and you get to sail along serene waterways, rather than to drive along congested highways. Your comfortable hotel travels with you and you usually moor very centrally in most towns that you will visit.

Even though a European river cruise ship is smaller than an ocean going ship the facilities on board are no less numerous with most ships boasting a ball room, plentiful bars and restaurants, possibly a cinema as well as numerous viewing decks from which you will be able to admire the scenery and the architecture of many of the most beautiful European countries and cities.

There are many European river travel companies that you can go with, but the most important initial part is to decide on the length of the trip that you want to make, on the location and on the kind of comfort. just make sure that you begin with these details so that you can then relax and plan out the trip.

As for the length, you can find anything from three day cruised to break up a longer holiday to leisurely four week trips down major rivers such as the Danube. One or two weeks are pretty standard lengths.

As for the location, the most popular destinations are the Rhine, from Switzerland to Holland, and the Danube, which flows from Germany to Romania. Lots of lesser known alternatives are possible on the internal waterways of countries such as France, Italy, Poland, Russia, the UK and Spain.

Another crucial thing to consider is the season of the trip. The south of France or the flower-growing areas of Holland are great for a late spring or summer trip, for instance.

Trips in Germany are great in the winter months, especially if you like a traditional Christmas atmosphere and homely cooking and baking.

Concerning the level of comfort, you will find that there are a great number of alternatives, from Spartan drive-your-own houseboat hires to luxury cruse ships that have a lot in common with high-end hotels, but that retain an individual character.

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Switzerland’s Best Hotels Offer Unparalleled Beauty, Hospitality

January 28th, 2009 No comments

With its snow-capped mountains and quaint villages, Switzerland is a fairy tale land, full of adventure and beauty. It is here you will find some of Europe’s best offerings – fine cuisine, world-class skiing and picture-perfect scenery.

Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in the world, is found in Genevaa beautiful old city bisected by the river Rhone. Definitely a walking tour is in order here with Geneva’s marvelous selections of fine shops, fantastic restaurants and inspiring cathedrals. After you have exhausted the beauty of this quaint city, head out for Lausanne, Zurich or even St. Moritz where you will be astounded by the plethora of nature at its best.

Karen Brown, a prolific travel writer, suggests numerous itineraries for assistance in planning the perfect vacation to this wondrous land. Included at KarenBrown.com are maps and activities that make choosing your travel spots fun and simple. The following inns and hotels have been chosen and voted on by her readers as being the very best that Switzerland has to offer:

Encamped in the Anniviers Valley lies the quaint village of Grimentz, filled with brilliant flowers in the summer and excellent snow pack in the winter. The family-run Hotel de Moiry is located here and was named the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Greatest Value.” This charming whitewashed inn is absolutely genuine Swiss at its best. Enjoy traditional Swiss food including savory fondues and crisp strudels, while taking in the views from the terrace or, if snowy weather arrives, in the dining room before a blazing fire.

With beauty to be found in every corner of Switzerland, the country is an excellent spot for a romantic vacation. The Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann in Lucerne is a perfect spot from which to rekindle your love. The hotel, which dates back to the 16th century, has been selected as the “Most Romantic” lodging choice in Switzerland by Karen Brown’s readers. Each of the guest rooms and suites has been decorated individually. While not adjacent to Lake Lucerne, several of the rooms offer river views as does the hotel’s restaurant.

The Hotel Privata in Sils-Maria, comfortably ensconced between mountains, sprawling meadows and pristine lakes, has been awarded the Karen Browns Readers’ Choice Award for “Warmest Welcome” in Switzerland. Hiking trails are in abundance here. Venture into the mountains, take a lazy stroll by pristine lakes or lose yourself in the lush atmosphere of the wide meadows. Offering extremely comfortable guest rooms, the Hotel Privata also presents a lovely, spacious dining room with windows overlooking an opulent back garden.

The recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice award for the best “Splendid Splurge” in Switzerland is the Hotel Rote Rose and its guesthouse, Engelfrid. Situated on a hill of vineyards, this meticulously restored building boasts rooms decorated with elegant antiques and carefully selected furnishings. While no restaurant is available, breakfast is fabulous with choices of fresh piping hot breads, cheeses, yogurts and beverages. The landscape is unforgettable with ivy covering the exterior of the building and seasonal flowers blooming throughout this charming medieval town of Regensberg.

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All About Swiss Airlines

January 20th, 2009 No comments

Swiss International Airlines Ltd., also called as Swiss is the dominant airline of Switzerland. In 2001, Swissair, a former flag carrier of Switzerland reported the bankruptcy and then Swiss was formed. Its flights cover the Europe, North America, and South America, Africa and Asia and its centre is situated at the Zurich Airport.

After initial trouble stemming from financial difficulties and the September 11 attacks, the airline attempted to attach itself to other airline groups. In 2005 Lufthansa bought a minority stake in Swiss and Swiss operations began to be integrated into Lufthansas. The takeover was complete in July 2007. By 2008, Swiss was half the size it was 10 years earlier and has still not returned to Swiss Air size, but with its new network, Swiss been able to carry the same number of passengers as it did in 2002.

Swiss is a member of the Star Alliance and has codeshare agreements with several other airlines, expanding its flight offerings. Swiss now flies to destinations in Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, China, Japan, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK, Canada Mexico, US, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Chile.

Swiss has in its operation a fleet of 77 aircrafts of which 20 are operated by its subsidiary Swiss European Airlines. There is a variety of choices on offer for checking in either through the web or phone. The check-in is also accessible in more than 50 train stations to travelers flying out of Switzerland. On offer are three classes namely: Swiss First, Swiss Business and Swiss Economy.

In Swiss First customers have access to special lounges at the Zurich, Basel and Geneva airports, and a separate check-in counter. Seating features an ottoman and table for two that folds away when not in use. Gourmet a la carte meals are served on the customers schedule and, on long-haul flights out of Switzerland, Swiss specialties are also available. Telephone and network connections are available on Airbus A330 flights.

Swiss gives the excellent and luxuriant facility to their business travellers like priority boarding and departure lounges. Certain planes also provide telephones, Internet, and messaging services.

All classes of the Airbus A340 as well as A330 are equipped with facilities of watching films and television, music and games.

The frequent flyer program of of Swiss is Miles and More. It is possible for the customers to redeem miles on Swiss flights as also on othe Star Alliance partners and twenty othe affiliate airlines. Miles can also be earned or made use of by partner hotels, car hire companies and credit card purchases.

Swiss Air is committed to minimizing the negative impact of their operations on the environment. Setting the pace for others, the company has substantially cut CO2 emissions and reduced their fuel consumption to one of the lowest in the industry. The Swiss flight management system automatically optimizes aircraft performance to achieve maximum efficiency by making adjustments to airspeed and altitude based on current weight and atmospheric conditions. Swiss has also adopted numerous environmentally conscious operational procedures, including flying below maximum speed and early retraction of flaps, to help reduce both costs and emissions.

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Flights to St Moritz

January 19th, 2009 No comments

St. Moritz is the epitome of a traditional ski resort city. Skiers flock there by the thousands to savor the glitz and glamour which is as important as the skiing. Flights from the UK and Ireland hover in the 200-300 with Swiss International Airlines offering the best prices. You can also check with Lufthansa, but their rates are usually higher. Flights depart from London, Heathrow, Manchester, Gatwick, Birmingham and Glascow.

The nearest international airport to St. Moritz is at Zurich, about 150 miles away. To get to the resort, travel by rail from the airport to Chur and grab a connecting train to St. Moritz. If you arent on a tight budget, you can fly from Zurich to Samedan, a local airport near St. Moritz.

From November through April, St. Moritz is one of the best times for skiing. This place is considered the best in winter resorts in the world. Youll find the best snow around Christmas, but even better, the sun shines on St. Moritz all year, making for a more pleasant winter holiday. St. Moritz has also been known as a traditional spa town since the Middle Ages.

There are 80 kilometers of piste length, or 88 slopes, at St. Moritz for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Roughly 40 percent of these slopes are utilized for advanced level skiers with the remainder geared toward beginner and intermediate ski levels. St. Moritz is also adjacent to two additional ski areas, granting the resort access to an additional 270 kilometers outside of their area, and feature 56 lifts connecting them all. They also feature a snowboard park, and Crest Run, a sled racing run over 1,200 meters long and cross-country ski paths with the extensive ski slopes.

St. Moritz offers the board skier many different options . You have mountian climbing, bob sleding or paragliding. At night you can also have a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride to end your night.

Venture indoors to select from casinos, high end restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and concert spaces. The chic boutiques offer shopping adventures, or explore the art and folklore museums for a taste of culture. A train ride on the high end Glacier Express or Berninina Express allows you to sit back and enjoy the scenery.

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